Category: Azer News

‘After peace with Armenia, we are working closely on a new extension of the Middle Corridor, which will go through the territory of Armenia,’ President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at the 13th Global Baku Forum.

‘Armenia, for the first time in its independent history, will also be a transit country, which today it is not. This will allow us to connect two parts of Azerbaijan – the mainland and our exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,’ the head of state added.

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has hosted the opening ceremony of the 6th Alaca Weaving Collective Exhibition, AzerNEWS reports citing the museum.

The exhibition is co-organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association, Yunus Emre Institute, and Alaca Weaving Collective.

Amina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and Honored Worker of Culture; Saadat Yusifova, Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister; Birol Akgn, Turkiye’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan; Gokhan Seyhan, coordinator of the Yunus Emre Institute in Baku; Dr. Esen Baydemir, founder of the Alaca weaving collective, teacher of traditional Turkish art at the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University addressed the event.

In their remarks, the speakers stressed the importance of cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, noting the necessity of preserving weaving as a shared heritage and passing it on to future generations. They also stated that such projects contribute to traditional arts gaining new forms of expression within the contemporary art environment.

The artistic part of the event included Azerbaijani and Turkish national dances performed by the Sema dance ensemble.

The Alaca exhibition presents the art of weaving not only as an example of tangible cultural heritage, but also as a form of visual thinking and collective memory.

The exhibition features 38 works created in various themes and techniques by 23 artists. The main idea that unites these works is the understanding of weaving as a bearer of memory.

The artists’ engagement with Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, particularly its national ornaments and rich color palette, has created a foundation for the emergence of new forms of visual expression.

This approach transforms the exhibition into not only an aesthetic presentation, but also a platform for dialogue built upon a shared weaving heritage that connects different geographies and cultural environments.

The exhibition will run until March 15.

Peaceful relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are vital for the stability and prosperity of the entire region, former Georgian acting president Nino Burjanadze has said, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan’s capital, Burjanadze welcomed the current stage of relations between the two South Caucasus neighbors and expressed hope that they will continue to strengthen.

‘I welcome the fact that relations today are at a completely different level and hope they will continue to develop in a stable and peaceful direction,’ she said. ‘Such progress will benefit not only Azerbaijan and Armenia but also Georgia and the entire region.’

Burjanadze emphasized that improving ties between Azerbaijan and Armenia could have far-reaching consequences for regional cooperation and stability across the South Caucasus.

She noted that the Global Baku Forum, now in its thirteenth edition, serves as an important platform for discussing complex international developments. According to Burjanadze, participants will address a range of pressing global and regional issues, including the evolving situation in Iran and developments in its surrounding region.

Highlighting the broader geopolitical climate, Burjanadze stressed that the world urgently needs peace and constructive dialogue.

‘Despite the complexity of the current global situation, it is essential to find solutions that will allow conflicts to end as quickly as possible and create a solid foundation for lasting peace,’ she said.

The Global Baku Forum, held annually in Baku, brings together political leaders, policymakers, and experts from around the world to discuss global challenges, security issues, and prospects for international cooperation.

Korean Air has expanded its private aviation business by adding a new ultra-long-range business jet, responding to growing demand from wealthy clients and corporate executives who increasingly rely on chartered aircraft for international travel, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The airline recently introduced the Gulfstream G800, a next-generation business jet produced by the U.S. manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace. The aircraft arrived in South Korea earlier this month, according to reports from the media outlet Korea Sports Economy.

The G800 can carry up to 13 passengers and offers a longer flight range than the Gulfstream G650ER, allowing for extended nonstop routes between major global cities. This capability makes it particularly attractive for executives who frequently travel between Asia, Europe, and North America.

With the new addition, Korean Air’s private fleet now includes five aircraft: the Boeing BBJ 787-8, Boeing BBJ 737-700, Gulfstream G800, Gulfstream G650ER, and the Bombardier Global Express XRS.

Private jet services are typically used by senior corporate leaders for overseas business trips and long-distance travel. For example, Lee Jae-yong, executive chairman of Samsung Electronics, is known to use Korean Air’s private jets for international trips.

Among the fleet, the BBJ 787-8 stands out as the largest aircraft, configured with about 39 seats and primarily used for long-haul travel by corporate executives and business delegations.

Notably, Korean Air is currently the only South Korean airline operating a private jet charter business. The company also runs a membership program for frequent users: clients who pay an annual fee of about 700 million won (approximately $474,000) can use private jets for up to 30 hours per year. After that limit, flights cost roughly 4.8 million won per hour for international routes and 2.9 million won per hour for domestic travel.

Without membership, one-time charter flights can cost around 40 million won per hour.

Many companies prefer chartering aircraft rather than owning them due to the extremely high costs of purchase and maintenance. A single private jet can cost hundreds of billions of won, while yearly operating expenses-including pilots, cabin crew, maintenance, and hangar fees-can approach 10 billion won.

For instance, Samsung Group previously owned private aircraft but sold three airplanes and six helicopters to Korean Air in 2015. Since then, the conglomerate has chartered aircraft from the airline when necessary. Meanwhile, SK Group and Hyundai Motor Group each operate two private jets, while LG Group and Hanwha Group each maintain one.

The increasing use of private aviation reflects the global expansion of major corporations. As companies build factories, research centers, and subsidiaries worldwide, executives often need to travel long distances quickly-sometimes visiting several countries in a single day.

Private jets also allow travelers to reach destinations without direct commercial flights, significantly reducing travel time and increasing flexibility.

Industry analysts note that the demand for private aviation is rising worldwide. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global private jet charter market is expected to grow from about $16.3 billion in 2025 to nearly $24 billion by 2030, driven by international business expansion and increasingly complex global supply chains.

The recent tensions in the Middle East have exposed several myths about ‘safe’ transit hubs. In Dubai, long touted as one of the world’s most secure cities, civilian casualties have already been reported, while regional air transport has been disrupted by both soaring demand and Iranian drone attacks. For travelers seeking alternatives between Europe and Asia, the South Caucasus has emerged as a crucial bypass.

Historically, the South Caucasus has been a strategic bridge for energy, trade, and infrastructure. Now, this role could extend into the airspace domain. If cargo transportation via the Middle Corridor, stretching from China to Europe, has gained momentum, it raises the question: why shouldn’t the South Caucasus, with Azerbaijan at its center, develop into a full-fledged air hub?

Satellite and air traffic tracking, as seen in recent FlyRadar maps, show severe congestion along traditional routes, while corridors through Azerbaijan remain relatively open. Experts argue this is no longer just a geographic observation, the South Caucasus is actively shaping regional connectivity. It should be noted that between February 28 and March 10, 2026, the number of daily transit flights in the Baku Flight Information Region (Baku FIR) increased significantly, reaching up to 815 transit flights on some days.

Azerbaijan’s role in the global air corridor is becoming increasingly critical. With Russian and Iranian airspaces largely restricted for many international carriers, Baku has emerged as one of the few viable bridges connecting Europe and Asia.

The recent conflict in Iran, however, did not bypass Azerbaijan and its airspace. On March 5, Iran carried out drone attacks on Nakhchivan airport, resulting in several injuries. Iranian authorities stated that Azerbaijan was not the intended target and issued an apology. Since there are no American military bases in Azerbaijan, the incident did not escalate into a prolonged confrontation.

Azerbaijan’s friendly relations with its neighbors and its policy of neutrality do not prevent the country from leveraging its advantageous geographical location, on the contrary, they create new opportunities. The country has kept its airspace free from offensive operations, positioning itself as a stabilizing force in a highly volatile region. At the same time, Azerbaijan has demonstrated a notable degree of strategic autonomy, carefully balancing relationships with Western powers and Israel while managing pressures from its southern neighbor, Iran.

Today, Azerbaijan is no longer just an energy supplier. It has become a vital link in the broader network of global connectivity. The ongoing turbulence in the Middle East highlights how the South Caucasus, with Azerbaijan at the helm, could influence the flow of goods, passengers, and strategic influence across continents for decades to come. As regional analysts warn, a destabilized Caucasus would be disastrous for Europe, potentially paralyzing communication and resource delivery. This makes Azerbaijan a critical actor, both regionally and globally.

Yet, despite these advantages, the country has not yet fully established itself as a major aviation hub. Several factors hold it back. Currently, Azerbaijan has only one major airline operating internationally, which limits competition and slows the development of new routes. At the same time, while Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport is modern, regional airports and supporting infrastructure are still underdeveloped, constraining the country’s capacity to handle large volumes of traffic.

In addition, airspace management, customs procedures, and regional regulatory frameworks are still in the process of aligning with international standards, which can affect the pace of growth. The region’s proximity to areas of tension also requires airlines to carefully consider factors such as safety, insurance, and passenger confidence when planning new routes.

The potential is undeniable, but realizing it will require investment, policy reform, and a vision that matches Azerbaijan’s strategic importance. The South Caucasus, and Azerbaijan in particular, sits at a natural crossroads for East-West air traffic. If Baku can invest in expanding airport infrastructure, liberalize airspace policy, and encourage multiple carriers to operate, the country could transform into a resilient, high-demand hub.

Analysts suggest that the ongoing Middle East crisis may serve as a wake-up call for global aviation planners. Both Europe and Asia have a vested interest in diversifying air corridors, and Azerbaijan could capitalize on this geopolitical opportunity, much as it has in energy and transit.

Long story, short, Azerbaijan has the location, political stability, and strategic leverage to become a key air transit hub, but realizing this potential requires structural reforms, investment, and competitive aviation policies. Without these, the country may remain a promising bypass rather than a fully-fledged Middle Corridor of the skies.

The process of selecting Azerbaijan’s representative for the Eurovision 2026 International Song Contest was carried out through a multi-stage and professional selection process.

This approach is consistent with the selection model that the delegation has been implementing continuously since 2023.

The Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (ITV) said this in an official statement, AzerNEWS reports.

A total of 100 applications were submitted during the selection stage, within which 186 songs were presented.

Of these songs, 107 were submitted by local authors and performers, while 79 were sent by foreign songwriters.

“From the initial stage of the selection process, JIVA’s candidacy was considered separately by experts, and his success as the winner of the 2025 season of ‘The Voice Azerbaijan’ was also taken into account during the evaluation. This approach was justified by the fact that he has already proven himself on the professional stage, possesses strong live vocal abilities, and has accumulated years of stage experience.

Other applications were evaluated by a professional panel, and 18 candidates were selected and invited to the next stage. At this stage, live auditions and individual interviews were organized for them. The candidates’ vocal abilities, stage presentation, artistic expression style, and potential appeal to an international audience were carefully assessed.

As a result of the auditions, two more candidates were selected, forming a final shortlist of three participants,” the ITV statement said.

The statement also noted that the final decision was made based on the results of a specially formed focus group and expert opinions:

“One of the main criteria taken into consideration was the reintroduction of jury voting in the Eurovision semi-finals starting this year. In light of this change, strong live performance and stable vocal ability gained particular importance. Therefore, these criteria were treated as key priorities during the selection process.

From this perspective, JIVA’s candidacy stood out more prominently, and she was selected as Azerbaijan’s representative for 2026.”

The ITV statement also reminded that in recent days various claims have circulated on social media regarding the song and its author, including suggestions that the piece was allegedly created using artificial intelligence.

The statement emphasized that these claims do not reflect reality in any way and sought to clarify the origins and creative process behind the song:

“These claims do not reflect reality. “Just Go” is an original musical work created through a professional creative process, and behind it lies many years of experience, professional knowledge, and creative effort.”

Note that the 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna, Austria, and the live shows will take place on May 12, 14, and 16 this year.

The recent meeting in Baku between President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Antonio Costa of the European Council offered more than a ceremonial reaffirmation of diplomatic ties. It revealed a partnership increasingly defined by energy security, geopolitical stability and the strategic connectivity linking Europe with Asia.

It is quite attractive that the dialogue between Azerbaijan and the European Union reflected a broader recalibration in Europe’s external partnerships, in particular, at a time when global tensions are strongly affecting alliances and supply chains. This once again shows that for Brussels, Azerbaijan remains an essential energy partner and a stabilising actor in the South Caucasus. Wherein for Baku, cooperation with Europe represents both an economic opportunity and a platform to reinforce its regional relevance.

Energy security at the core

Reading throughout the conversation, it appears that a central theme of the discussions was energy cooperation, which remains the backbone of the Azerbaijan-EU relationship. So the past four years have yielded its fruits, in which since the signing of the strategic energy partnership agreement with the European Commission in 2022, Azerbaijan has significantly expanded gas exports to Europe.

President Aliyev highlighted a remarkable statistic: Today, 10 members of the European Union receive gas from Azerbaijan, and the total number of countries is 16. And by this number, we are number one in the world in supplying gas by pipelines. Sixteen countries today are receiving Azerbaijani gas, so our role in the energy security of many countries is growing.

For Europe, still grappling with the long-term consequences of the disruption caused by the war in Ukraine, diversification of energy supplies remains a strategic priority. As President Costa emphasised, Azerbaijan has been central to this effort through the development of the Southern Gas Corridor. The corridor has evolved from a regional infrastructure project into a critical component of Europe’s energy security architecture.

Azerbaijan’s Aliyev also signalled that the partnership may deepen further. According to him, Azerbaijan plans to increase gas production with the launch of new fields, potentially adding around 10 billion cubic metres annually within the next few years. This is a certain element of a partnership, which was in the emphasis of the Azerbaijani leader. Alternatively, if realised, this expansion would further cement Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable supplier at a time when energy markets remain volatile.

Moreover, the energy partnership is no longer limited to fossil fuels. Both leaders emphasised the growing importance of renewable energy cooperation.

Azerbaijan’s determined plan to generate between six and eight gigawatts of renewable capacity within five to six years is attracting increasing European interest. With abundant solar radiation and strong wind conditions, particularly along the Caspian coast, the country has significant potential to develop green energy for domestic use and export.

European Council leader noted that the EU is ready to mobilise investment and encourage European clean-technology companies to participate in Azerbaijan’s energy transition. Projects involving subsea electricity cables and transmission infrastructure could eventually connect renewable power generated in the Caspian region with European energy networks.

This shift from traditional hydrocarbons toward diversified energy cooperation illustrates how the Azerbaijan-EU relationship is evolving into a long-term strategic partnership.

Connectivity and the Middle Corridor

Beyond energy, the talks also highlighted the growing geopolitical importance of connectivity across Eurasia. The development of the Middle Corridor, linking in the long-term perspective Europe to Asia via the South Caucasus and Central Asia, has become increasingly relevant as traditional transit routes face disruption for several reasons, of course.

Both leaders stressed that improved transport infrastructure could strengthen economic resilience and facilitate trade flows between Europe and Asia. The proposed Baku-Nakhchivan railway link, mentioned by Costa, is, in particular, seen as a crucial element of this emerging transport network.

Again, if fully realised, such projects could transform Azerbaijan from an energy supplier into a broader logistical hub connecting continents.

Besides, the statements of the leaders went on with focus on peace as a strategic asset. Without peace no prospect of any long-term and robust economic cooperation seems to be real. So the part of a significant theme of the meeting was the evolving political landscape of the South Caucasus. President Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has recently experienced a rare period of peace following decades of conflict with Armenia.

He argued that reconciliation, supported by practical steps such as trade and transit cooperation, offers tangible benefits for regional stability. In his turn, President Costa echoed this sentiment, describing the progress in the peace process as historic and stressing the importance of economic interdependence in sustaining long-term stability.

“The European Union shares Azerbaijan’s objective for a peaceful, stable, interconnected, and prosperous South Caucasus. The progress made in the peace process with Armenia is historic,” the EU Council leader said.

The meeting in Baku underscored how Azerbaijan and the European Union are managing an increasingly complex geopolitical environment together. With conflicts reshaping global energy markets and transport networks, the strategic value of stable partnerships has become more evident.

Taking all these together, we can come to a resolution that for Europe, Azerbaijan represents a reliable energy supplier and an emerging connectivity hub. And for Azerbaijan, cooperation with the EU strengthens its economic diversification and international standing.

As both leaders suggested, the relationship is moving beyond transactional energy trade toward a more comprehensive partnership encompassing energy transition, infrastructure development and regional stability.

World-class athletes from 39 countries have participated in the 2026 FIG Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup (AGF Trophy), AzerNEWS reports, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The competition took place at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.

Azerbaijan was represented by Nikita Simonov, Aydin Alizade, and Rasul Ahmadzade in the men’s events, and by Deniz Aliyeva and Nazanin Teymurova in the women’s events.

The first two days of the competition were dedicated to qualification rounds, while the final two days featured the medal-winning performances.

In the men’s vault, Nazar Chepurniy (Ukraine) won gold, Wataru Tanigawa (Japan) took silver, and Aleksey Usachev, competing as a neutral athlete, claimed bronze.

On the pommel horse, David Ivanov (Bulgaria) earned gold, Kilan Van der Aa (Belgium) took silver, and Jesse Moore (Australia) won bronze.

In the horizontal bar event, Tang Chia-hung (Chinese Taipei) secured first place, Milad Karimi (Kazakhstan) came second, and Angel Barajas from Colombia finished third.

In the women’s uneven bars, Mana Okamura (Japan) won gold, Kayliya Nemur (Algeria) took silver, and Shoko Miyata (Japan) earned bronze.

In the floor exercise, Mana Okamura again won gold, Anna Kalimikova, competing as a neutral athlete, took silver, and Sevgi Kayisoglu (Turkiye) won bronze.

Founded in 1956, the Azerbaijani Gymnastics Federation comprises seven gymnastics disciplines recognised by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG).

The federation has been experiencing a revival since 2002. The restructured federation has brought gymnastics to a completely new level. The high-level organisation of the gymnastics events did not go unnoticed.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has included the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) in the list of meritorious federations.

For many years, the AGF has been included in the FIG list of the Top 10 gymnastics federations.

Leyla Aliyeva, Arzu Aliyeva, and Alena Aliyeva visited the ‘Support for Living’ Center.

During the visit, they met with the children receiving services at the center, spoke with them, and inquired about their needs.

The Azerbaijan Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka World Expo has won another prestigious award, AzerNEWS reports.

The national pavilion, created last year in the city of Osaka, Japan with the organization of the Heydar Aliyev Center, received “The Real Estate and Architecture Award” in “Architectural Design” category.

This international award for architectural and real estate projects was established in Germany by a group of experts from various countries. The main purpose of the award is to promote outstanding design, architectural works, and real estate projects.

During the evaluation of the Azerbaijan Pavilion, several criteria were considered, including the architectural concept of the project, the quality of the design, innovation and originality, as well as sustainability.

Previously, the Azerbaijan Pavilion at Expo 2025 had also been named a winner of the “German Design Award” in the “Excellent Architecture / Fair and Exhibition” category.

Since 2000, Azerbaijan has successfully participated in World Expos and received various awards among national pavilions. The country was also successfully represented in Osaka, where the national pavilion became one of the most prominent and frequently visited.

The concept of the Azerbaijan Pavilion at Expo 2025, themed “Seven Bridges for Sustainability,” was inspired by the poem “Seven Beauties” by the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi.

Operating from April 13 to October 13, the pavilion welcomed more than 2 million visitors during Expo 2025.