Category: Azer News

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that Russia must take an “active defense” role in countering Western sanctions, AzerNEWS reports.

“We need to be talking about active defense. It’s not just about sitting in a trench and firing back, but about active defense. We need to think about what tools to use in the future,” Medvedev said during a meeting on countering sanctions against Russian companies. He added that Western sanctions have not paralyzed the Russian economy, saying it is “alive and kicking and growing,” although the restrictions are creating difficulties.

Medvedev also argued that Moscow should “systematize” its response to better protect its interests and expand Russia’s influence in other regions. His remarks come after European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the EU introduced the largest batch of sanctions against Russia in four years and that it is “working on the next steps.”

‘A decision has been made to increase the resources of the Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Development Fund,’ said President Ilham Aliyev at the third meeting of the Interstate Council of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the city of Cholpon-Ata, AzerNEWS reports.

“I am glad that the Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Fund is operating successfully. We have made a decision to increase the fund’s resources, and several projects are already being implemented. I am confident that as the fund’s activities expand, the number of projects will grow. This will serve our common goals.”

Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is set to stand trial in what is being described as the first criminal case against the church’s supreme leader in Armenia’s modern history, AzerNEWS reports.

According to independent Armenian media outlet CivilNet, Karekin II and five senior church officials have been charged with deliberately obstructing the enforcement of a lawful court decision through alleged abuse of power.

The case stems from the dismissal of Bishop Gevorg Saroyan. Armenian authorities accuse Karekin II and other church leaders of refusing to comply with a court ruling ordering Saroyan’s reinstatement.

Those expected to stand trial alongside the Catholicos are Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Archbishop Haykazun Najaryan, Bishop Vahan Hovhannesyan, Bishop Edgar Hakobyan, and Bishop Artur Hakobyan.

According to CivilNet, Karekin II and the five bishops have also been placed under a travel ban pending the legal proceedings.

Relations between the Church and Pashinyan’s government have been tense since May 2025, with Pashinyan and others attacking Karekin II. As accusations against the Church and Karekin II specifically grew, Pashinyan made clear he was seeking to oust the Catholicos.

The case marks an unprecedented development in the relationship between the Armenian state and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has played a central role in the country’s religious and national identity.

An award ceremony for the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan was held on July 31, AzerNEWS reports.

Addressing the event President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov said:

– Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Modern Azerbaijan is a strong and influential state playing an important role in regional and international affairs. Over the years of your leadership, Azerbaijan has achieved significant success in strengthening its statehood, developing the economy, and implementing large-scale projects. Thanks to your support and unwavering commitment to bringing our nations closer together, our brotherly countries have forged a genuine strategic partnership based on strong bonds of friendship and mutual trust.

Today, our relations have reached a qualitatively new level and have evolved into an alliance. Your role in the development of ties between Central Asia and the South Caucasus is of particular importance. Azerbaijan’s participation in the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia opens up new opportunities for expanding cooperation in the trade, economic, transport, and energy spheres. You also consistently use your influence to promote lasting peace, strengthen stability, and create a new atmosphere of cooperation in the region.

Your commitment to strengthening friendship between our countries commands deep respect from the Kyrgyz people. It is for this reason that I decided to award my dear friend and brother, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Heydarovich Aliyev, the highest state award of the Kyrgyz Republic-the ‘Manas’ Order.

This high award recognizes your outstanding personal contribution to strengthening Kyrgyz-Azerbaijani relations.

On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic and on my own behalf, I cordially congratulate you on receiving this high award. I wish you robust health, well-being, and continued success in your state duties, and peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan.

Dear Ilham Heydarovich, allow me to present you with the ‘Manas’ Order.

x x x

Then, the Decree of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov awarding President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev the 1st Class “Manas” Order for his significant contribution to the development of strategic partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the strengthening of friendship between the peoples of the two countries was read out.

President Sadyr Zhaparov conferred the 1st Class “Manas” Order upon the Azerbaijani leader.

x x x

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in his remarks:

– Dear Sadyr Nurgozhoevich.

Dear friends.

First of all, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this high award. I regard it as your recognition of my activities in strengthening the brotherly ties between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan. Over the years of our cooperation with you, our countries have travelled a very long and glorious path, elevating our interstate relations to the level of strategic alliance. There is no level higher than this one. I am deeply grateful to you for your personal contribution to strengthening relations between our two brotherly countries.

Our good, friendly, and brotherly relations serve as an important factor in the current successful development between our countries. I would also like to thank you sincerely for your kind words, and for this high order, and I want to assure you that in the future, too, I will make every effort to ensure the steady development of Kyrgyz-Azerbaijani relations for the benefit of our countries and peoples.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a high award.

x x x

Then, the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan awarding President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov the Heydar Aliyev Order in recognition of his special contribution to strengthening the friendly and brotherly ties and partnership between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan was read out.

x x x

Speaking at the event, President Ilham Aliyev said: Before presenting this high award, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich, I would like to once again personally congratulate you, your team, and the brotherly people of Kyrgyzstan on the historic achievements that Kyrgyzstan has attained under your leadership. This is not my first visit to Kyrgyzstan, but it is during your presidency that our contacts have become regular. If we count the number of my visits to Kyrgyzstan and the visits of Sadyr Nurgozhoevich to Azerbaijan, there have probably been more than ten.

All of this, however, has taken place since the brotherly people of Kyrgyzstan entrusted you with the high office of President of the Republic. The transformations are visible to everyone. This is evident both to friends and to foreign observers who come and see them. They are impossible not to notice. Even what we are witnessing today in the Issyk-Kul region would have been impossible to imagine before Sadyr Nurgozhoevich assumed leadership of Kyrgyzstan. Today, this beautiful corner of Kyrgyzstan is undergoing unprecedented development. Never before has the region experienced such rapid development over such a short period of time. This is your personal achievement, reflecting your commitment to your people, your roots, the rich spiritual values of the Kyrgyz people, and your determination to bring Kyrgyzstan to a new level of development. You have succeeded in doing so. Today, the international prestige of your country is higher than ever, as evidenced by Kyrgyzstan’s election to the highest international body.

Economic and social development, the care you show for the Kyrgyz people, and the reverse flow of migration taking place today-not from Kyrgyzstan abroad, but from abroad to Kyrgyzstan-all of this would have been impossible without your personal involvement, your decisions, and your vision for the future. I have been to Bishkek many times, and this is not my first visit to the beautiful shores of Issyk-Kul. I can confidently say that progress is taking place throughout the country. The citizens of Kyrgyzstan naturally know this better, and I believe that the universal popular support demonstrated toward you serves as the main outcome of your work and probably the greatest reward. For its part, Azerbaijan highly appreciates your contribution both to the development of Kyrgyzstan and to the strengthening of the brotherly relations between our countries. By my decree, which has just been read out, you have been awarded Azerbaijan’s highest order, the Heydar Aliyev Order.

Allow me to present this high award to you.

x x x

President Ilham Aliyev then conferred the Heydar Aliyev Order upon President Sadyr Zhaparov.

x x x

President Sadyr Zhaparov said: Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Allow me to express my sincere gratitude for this token of respect and friendship. It is a great honor for me to receive from your hands one of the highest state awards of the Republic of Azerbaijan-the Heydar Aliyev Order. This award holds special significance for me, as it bears the name of an outstanding statesman and a great son of the Azerbaijani people who laid the foundations of modern Kyrgyz-Azerbaijani relations.

I regard this order as a symbol of the strong ties between our peoples and of our shared commitment to strengthening our strategic partnership and allied relations. Thank you for this meaningful gesture, for your attention to Kyrgyzstan, and for your unwavering commitment to bringing our peoples closer together.

Thank you.

The 15th Gabala International Music Festival opened on 29 July. The festival is organised at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, and Gilan.

The opening concert featured the Student Symphony Orchestra of the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, conducted by the People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Ramiz-Malik Aslanov, AzerNEWS reports.

Addressing the audience, the Rector of the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, People’s Artist Farhad Badalbeyli, said the festival has been held successfully for the past 15 years. During this time, renowned soloists, symphony orchestras, choirs, conductors and other performers from around the world have taken to the stage in Gabala.

Badalbeyli noted that the festival presents a rich and varied programme of concerts each year, spanning a wide range of musical genres. Over the years, the Gabala International Music Festival has become one of the world’s leading international cultural events, bringing together distinguished musicians from across the globe.

The opening evening featured performances by Honoured Artist Elvin Hoca Ganiyev (violin), Aysun Mahmudzade (soprano), Shamistan Aliyev (clarinet) and Vagif Gurbanov (cello), who performed works by Azerbaijani and European composers.

Running until 3 August, the festival will once again transform the city of Gabala into an important platform for intercultural dialogue. In keeping with the festival’s mission, leading representatives of different countries and cultures will gather in one of Azerbaijan’s most historic regions.

Alongside Azerbaijan, musicians and dancers from Germany, Russia, Austria, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan and Vietnam will take part in this year’s celebration of music.

The Greco-Roman wrestling competition at the U17 World Championships in Baku has concluded, AzerNEWS reports.

The Azerbaijani national team claimed three silver and three bronze medals, collecting a total of 107 points to finish second in the overall team standings.

The achievement highlights the strength and potential of Azerbaijan’s young wrestlers, who secured a place among the world’s leading teams at the prestigious international tournament.

Held in Baku, the U17 World Championships brought together the best young wrestling talents from around the globe, with Azerbaijan’s athletes making a strong impact across the Greco-Roman wrestling events.

The U17 World Wrestling Championships are currently taking place at the National Gymnastics Arena.

More than 650 athletes from around the world are participating in the prestigious tournament, while the event is welcoming over 1,000 international guests who have arrived in Azerbaijan.

The championship programme begins with Greco-Roman wrestling competitions, followed by the women’s wrestling events. In the final days of the tournament, champions in freestyle wrestling are being determined.

The competition is bringing together the world’s most promising young wrestlers, with Baku serving as the host city for this major international sporting event.

The U17 World Wrestling Championships in Baku will last until August 2.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) plans to carry out 2D seismic exploration in partnership with Canadian energy company Gran Tierra Energy to further assess the geological structure of the Guba-Caspian oil and gas region, AzerNEWS reports.

According to SOCAR, the work will be conducted under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the exploration, development and production of hydrocarbons in a prospective onshore block located in the region.

As part of the project’s initial preparatory phase, SOCAR held a meeting with local authorities at the Guba District Executive Power, where participants discussed the next stages of the project’s implementation.

The agreement between SOCAR and Gran Tierra Energy was signed in February 2026. Under its terms, Gran Tierra will serve as the project’s operator with a 65% participating interest.

The exploration program includes collecting gravimetric data, conducting 3D seismic surveys, and drilling exploratory wells to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the contract area.

The Armenian government has imposed a temporary ban on the import of tomato paste, including products from countries belonging to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The decision was adopted at a government meeting on July 30, 2026, and will take effect on August 3. The measure will remain in force for six months and also applies to the transportation of tomato paste from EAEU member states.

According to the government, the restriction is aimed at creating equal competitive conditions for economic operators importing tomato paste and local producers using domestically sourced tomatoes.

The authorities noted that restrictions imposed by several countries on the export and transit of Armenian-origin plant products have resulted in a decline in fruit and vegetable exports, including greenhouse-grown tomatoes.

Previously, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that restrictions on exports of Armenian products were not only a problem for Yerevan but also a challenge for the entire Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Problems with the supply of Armenian goods to Russia began in late May, when Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) began gradually imposing restrictions on imports of various categories of products, citing violations of veterinary and phytosanitary requirements. The restrictions were successively extended to flowers, vegetables, fruits and fish products, followed by a ban covering almost all Armenian-origin products subject to quarantine controls. As of July 27, Russia also completely suspended imports of Armenian dairy products.

Artificial intelligence is expected to become one of the key drivers of Azerbaijan’s digital transformation over the coming years. By assigning specific state agencies to oversee AI development across 12 priority sectors, the government aims to establish clear institutional responsibilities while accelerating the adoption of AI-driven solutions in public administration and the economy.

The strategy envisions improvements in areas ranging from healthcare and education to finance, transport and public services, with a particular focus on strengthening the country’s AI ecosystem, developing local expertise and enhancing public service delivery.

However, questions remain over how quickly these ambitions can be translated into practical results, whether the planned timeframe is realistic, and how different institutions will coordinate AI implementation across interconnected sectors.

To discuss these issues, AzerNEWS spoke with Ilkin Ahmadov, an artificial intelligence and business process automation specialist, who shared his views on the opportunities and challenges surrounding Azerbaijan’s AI Strategy for 2025-2028:

– In your opinion, which sector will see the greatest impact from artificial intelligence?

– I believe artificial intelligence will have the greatest impact on public services, healthcare, and education. These are the sectors where millions of pieces of information are processed every day, thousands of decisions are made, and the highest level of interaction with citizens takes place. In healthcare, AI will not replace doctors, but it will significantly accelerate diagnostic processes, improve the analysis of medical images, and support the early detection of diseases. This will save time for patients while also making healthcare systems more efficient. Education is another area undergoing a major transformation. Around the world, personalized learning models are becoming increasingly common. AI can analyze each student’s learning pace, identify strengths and weaknesses, and adapt teaching methods accordingly. This is far more effective than the traditional ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.

However, I believe the most visible transformation will occur in public services because they directly affect citizens’ daily lives. Automating application processing, document verification, responding to citizen inquiries, and supporting administrative decision-making can make interactions with government institutions much faster and more convenient. One point deserves particular emphasis. People often imagine artificial intelligence as humanoid robots or futuristic technologies. In reality, the most effective AI is invisible. Citizens simply notice that a service which previously took a week is now completed in a day, or that hours spent waiting in line have been reduced to just a few minutes. The success of AI will not be measured by people saying, ‘We are using artificial intelligence.’ It will be measured by people saying, ‘Our lives have become easier.’

Artificial intelligence is also becoming an increasingly important economic tool. Today, AI is no longer just another technological innovation, it is a driver of global competitiveness. Countries that integrate AI effectively are more productive, use resources more efficiently, and make faster, better-informed decisions. In the future, I believe countries will not be divided into those that develop AI and those that do not. Instead, the distinction will be between those that successfully implement AI and those that fail to do so. From this perspective, Azerbaijan’s decision to prioritize sectors such as public services, healthcare, education, finance, transport, and other strategic areas is the right approach. Improvements in these sectors will be directly felt by citizens while also contributing to stronger economic competitiveness and a more advanced AI ecosystem.

– The 2025-2028 strategy covers a relatively short period. How realistic is it to move from pilot projects to full-scale implementation within three years?

– Three years can be both a long and a short period when it comes to technology. If the objective is to transform the entire public sector into an AI-powered ecosystem, three years would clearly not be enough. However, if the goal is to develop practical solutions in carefully selected priority areas and demonstrate measurable results, then the timeframe is entirely realistic. Experience from leading countries shows that successful AI transformation has never happened overnight. Governments typically begin with pilot projects, evaluate their performance, refine the models, and only then move toward large-scale implementation.

In my opinion, the real issue is not how many pilot projects are launched. Any organization can develop dozens of pilots. The more important question is how many of those projects become part of everyday operations. That is the true measure of success. By 2028, I hope to see functioning AI systems rather than hundreds of presentations. One of the greatest risks facing AI initiatives worldwide is what experts call ‘pilot purgatory’, projects that produce promising results but never move beyond the testing stage because of poor data quality, inadequate legal frameworks, limited infrastructure, or a shortage of qualified professionals. For Azerbaijan, I do not believe technology itself will be the biggest challenge. The more pressing issues will be improving data quality, advancing the digitalization of public institutions, and developing a workforce capable of working with AI technologies. Artificial intelligence is only as reliable as the data it receives. Poor-quality data inevitably leads to poor-quality outcomes.

Therefore, I see the 2025-2028 period primarily as a phase of building the country’s AI infrastructure. If Azerbaijan succeeds in standardizing databases, improving information exchange between government institutions, strengthening its pool of AI specialists, and introducing practical AI services that citizens can genuinely benefit from, the strategy can already be considered a success. Ultimately, the strategy should not be evaluated by the number of AI projects announced, but by the improvements people experience in their everyday lives. If citizens receive faster public services, doctors diagnose illnesses more quickly, and teachers gain better tools to assess students, then AI will have fulfilled its purpose. The strategy itself places strong emphasis on phased implementation, human capital development, infrastructure, and ecosystem building. Recent efforts to define measurable performance indicators also suggest that Azerbaijan is aiming for results-driven implementation rather than simply launching pilot initiatives.

– How will assigning responsible institutions to the 12 priority sectors help address cross-sector coordination challenges? Is there a need for a unified monitoring mechanism?

– I believe identifying responsible state institutions at the outset is a crucial step. One of the main reasons large-scale digital transformation projects fail is the absence of clearly defined responsibilities. It must be clear who is responsible, who makes decisions, and who evaluates results. However, artificial intelligence differs from many other technologies because it rarely operates within the boundaries of a single institution. Financial services are connected to the broader economy. The economy is linked to public services. Public services rely on cybersecurity and data protection. Healthcare interacts closely with social protection. These sectors are deeply interconnected.

If every institution develops AI projects independently without exchanging information or coordinating efforts, the overall effectiveness of AI implementation will be significantly reduced. That is why a unified coordination and monitoring mechanism is essential. It is encouraging that the adopted strategy already establishes a legal framework for this. Overall coordination has been assigned to the Cabinet of Ministers, while monitoring and evaluation will be carried out by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication. This provides an institutional foundation for overseeing AI implementation across different government bodies. At the same time, the practical implementation of this framework will be equally important. For example, all responsible institutions should work with common key performance indicators (KPIs), standardized data-sharing protocols, regular public reporting on AI projects, and mechanisms to prevent duplicate initiatives that perform the same function.

The greatest asset of AI is not software, it is high-quality data. If each institution keeps its data isolated within its own systems, artificial intelligence will only realize a fraction of its potential. Going forward, Azerbaijan should focus as much on governance as it does on technology. Today, the global AI race is not being won by those who develop the most sophisticated algorithms. It is being won by those who build the strongest data governance systems. I believe this should become Azerbaijan’s primary priority as well. Such an approach fully aligns with both the objectives of Azerbaijan’s AI Strategy and international best practices in AI governance.

The first day of the 15th Gabala International Music Festival, held on the initiative and organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli and Gilan, was marked by a special presentation. A ballet gala concert was held under the open sky on the evening of 29 July. This unforgettable evening, featuring famous ballet stars, presented the beauty and elegance of classical ballet to the audience.

The gala concert was watched by officials, cultural figures, art lovers and members of the public, according to AzerNEWS.

Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan and principal soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre Timur Askerov, principal soloist of the same theatre Renata Shakirova, soloists of the Bavarian State Ballet Frederik Stukviš and Zhanna Gubanova, premier of the Bolshoi Theatre ballet company Artem Ovcharenko and first soloist Anna Tikhomirova, soloists of the Vienna State Ballet Alessandro Frola and Madison Young, and soloists of Dutch National Ballet Jessica Xuan and Vsevolod Maievskyi performed on stage.

During the approximately one-and-a-half-hour gala concert, works by world-famous composers were staged. The audience watched excerpts from popular ballets, including Ludwig Minkus’s Don Quixote, Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Adolphe Adam’s Giselle and other beloved ballets.

On the second day of the festival, the audience will be presented with the programme An Introduction to Vietnam’s National Vocal Genres performed by Vietnam’s Bronze Drum Ensemble, while that evening, performances by soloists of Uzbekistan’s Tashkent Zebolari Folk Dance Ensemble and a performance by the Bek Doyrachilar Ensemble will be presented.

On 31 July, a concert by the Chamber Orchestra of the DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Centre will be held under the artistic direction of Honoured Artist Emil Afrasiyab and conducted by Mustafa Mehmandarov. People’s Artist Teyyub Aslanov (mugham singer), as well as Dayanat Mammadov (tenor), Farid Abdullayev (tar), Gulnaz Talibova (soprano), Khatira Hajiyeva (soprano), Muslim Muslimzade (mugham singer), Ravana Aghamirova (soprano), Samid Khudarly (tenor), Sara Huseynova (soprano), Sabina Asgarova (soprano) and Samad Novruzov (tenor) will perform works by Azerbaijani and world composers at the concert.

That evening, Gabala will also bring together lovers of mugham. Popular mugham singers – Honoured Artists Bayimkhanim Valiyeva and Teyyar Bayramov, as well as Mugham Competition laureates Miralam Miralamov and Kamila Nabiyeva – will perform at the concert.

On the fourth day of the festival, 1 August, Austrian pianist Alexander Maria Wagner and Luong To Nhu, one of the well-known figures in classical music and piano in Vietnam, will perform at the Chamber Music Evening.

Another special feature of that evening will be the concert programme Beloved Music Pieces from World Films. The Scorrendo Orchestra, under the artistic direction and baton of Mustafa Mehmandarov, will perform music from The Last Pass, I Want Seven Sons, The Godfather, Meeting, The Bodyguard, Schindler’s List, James Bond and other films.

On 2 August, the stage will be given to students of the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The concert presented by the young musicians will feature works by Azerbaijani and European composers.

On the same day, the Moldovan Fluiera? Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, whose chief choreographer is Yuri Bivol, and Moldova’s Millenium ethno-pop group will also perform before the audience.

The International Music Festival will conclude on 3 August with a concert by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, led by Honoured Artist Fuad Ibrahimov. People’s Artists Azer Zeynalov (tenor) and Samir Jafarov (tenor), Honoured Artist Elnara Mammadova (soprano), as well as Lala Murshudlu (soprano), will perform at the concert.

Held since 2009, the Gabala International Music Festival has for years brought together various figures from the world of music in one place, becoming an important destination for international cultural dialogue. This music platform is not only a celebration of classical works, but also an intercultural bridge that brings peoples together, transcends borders and is remembered for unforgettable moments filled with music.