Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan’s key economic and financial pillars remain robust, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said during a forum in Baku titled ‘Vision for the Future of the Tax System: A New Governance Model and Data-Driven Decisions.’

As reported by AzerNEWS, Jabbarov noted that 2025 was a significant year for strengthening Azerbaijan’s international standing.

He said progress on the peace agenda has opened up major economic development prospects for both Azerbaijan and the wider region. Strategic partnership agreements signed with global economic partners are further enhancing the country’s growing geoeconomic role.

‘These partnerships create new opportunities for deeper integration into global value chains across investment, trade, energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, high technologies, and other sectors,’ the minister said.

Jabbarov emphasized that economic diversification remains a central strategic priority, with the non-oil and gas sector now serving as the primary driver of economic growth.

Between 2021 and 2025, Azerbaijan’s non-oil and gas GDP recorded average annual real growth of 5.9%, becoming the main source of economic expansion.

The minister also highlighted the important role of the private sector in diversification, supported by active government policies.

‘In recent years, much of the state support for the private sector has been delivered through tax and customs incentives,’ he said, adding that this strategic approach has led to significant qualitative and structural changes in the economy.

As a result, the private sector’s contribution to tax revenues has increased substantially. In 2024, revenues from the non-oil private sector accounted for 76% of total tax receipts from the non-oil and gas economy, according to Jabbarov.

He also noted that in 2025 investments in fixed capital directed to the non-oil private sector grew by 11.1%, while foreign-sourced investments in fixed capital increased by 24%.

Investment in the non-oil industrial sector rose by up to 26%, and the sector’s value added expanded by an average of 8% annually between 2021 and 2025.

These trends have significantly increased the role of the non-oil economy. Its share in GDP rose from 58.3% in 2018 to 71.5% in 2025, the minister said.

In 2025, tax revenues accounted for 12.7% of GDP, while tax revenues from the non-oil and gas sector represented 13% of non-oil GDP, marking increases of 3.4 and 2.4 percentage points, respectively, compared with 2018.

During the same period, the share of tax revenues from the private non-oil sector in GDP increased by 2.2 percentage points to reach 9.9%.

Jabbarov added that macroeconomic stability, strong investment protection mechanisms, and an improved business environment are creating long-term confidence for investors.

‘Azerbaijan’s strategic geographic position, its transport and logistics capabilities, developed infrastructure in economic zones, tax and customs incentives, as well as public-private partnership mechanisms and joint investment funds with various countries offer investors opportunities to participate in sustainable projects and partnerships that bring technology, capital, and expertise,’ he said.

Amid these positive economic trends, Azerbaijan’s sovereign credit rating has also improved. International rating agencies Fitch Ratings and Moody’s have upgraded the country’s sovereign credit rating to investment grade, assigning outlooks of ‘stable’ and ‘positive,’ respectively, for the upcoming period.

On March 5, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held a phone conversation with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov regarding the latest developments in the region, AzerNEWS reprts.

According to the press service of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Bayramov condemned the drone strikes carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic earlier that day. He stressed that the attacks, which caused damage to civilian infrastructure and injured individuals, represent a violation of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Azerbaijani side demanded that Iran clarify the incident, issue an official explanation and apology, and take urgent measures to prevent similar actions in the future.

Minister Kosherbayev expressed deep concern over the attacks and voiced hope that the situation would not escalate further.

Kremlin ?spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia has not received a request from Iran to send it weapons during the ongoing war, AzerNEWS reports.

Asked by a reporter whether Moscow plans to offer material support to Iran, including arms, Peskov said: ‘In this case, there were no requests from the Iranian side. Our consistent position well known to everyone, and there have been no changes regard.’

Last year, Iran sealed 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Russia.

Russia is building two new nuclear units at Bushehr, the site of Iran’s only nuclear power plant, and Iran supplied ?Russia with Shahed drones ?for use against Ukraine.

Azerbaijan is the recently joined in the long list of countries affected by the ongoing war.

Azerbaijan has said that two drones were launched from Iran into its territory of Nakhchivan.

Nakhchivan is an autonomous republic, an exclave sandwiched between Turkiye, Iran and Armenia.

Two drones dropped there. One hit an airport building, which, from the videos we’ve seen, looked largely empty. Social media footage we saw showed smoke billowing from the building and some debris inside the building. It looks like the roof suffered some damage.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, has addressed reports indicating that drones struck Nakhchivan International Airport in Azerbaijan.

He stated that Tehran does not target neighboring countries and emphasized that the incident should be thoroughly investigated. Gharibabadi reiterated that only those countries hosting military bases for their adversaries would be targeted.

The United States and Israel continue to launch airstrikes against Iran, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,045 people since Saturday. Meanwhile, Israeli forces are also targeting Lebanon.

The US Senate has blocked a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, with a vote of 53 to 47 against the procedural motion.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has raised concerns about ‘terrorist movements’ along the country’s border with Iraq. He has called for enhanced security measures amid reports that the US is negotiating with Kurdish forces to arm them and encourage an uprising against Tehran.

For decades, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) has lived as a strategic island, separated from the Azerbaijani mainland by geography and history. During the 1990s, Armenia attempted to choke the region into submission by cutting off all land and rail links. Today, a new aggressor has emerged using the same old playbook.

Recent reports of Iranian drone activity targeting the Nakhchivan International Airport signal a dangerous shift in regional grey-zone warfare. By hovering over the runway, the “Mullah Regime” isn’t just testing a drone; they are testing the limits of a lifeline.

Nakhchivan is an exclave. Because it shares no land border with mainland Azerbaijan, it relies almost entirely on its airport for several reasons. That includes the daily commute of thousands of citizens and life-saving cargo that cannot wait for transit through third countries, while maintaining the defensive integrity of the region.

‘Historical reference’

In the early 90s, during the first Karabakh war, Armenia successfully turned Nakhchivan into a “dark zone” by cutting electricity and land routes. The airport became the “Lungs of Nakhchivan.” By targeting the airport now, Tehran is attempting a “Blockade 2.0.” They realize that if the airport is rendered unsafe or non-operational, Nakhchivan becomes effectively paralyzed. We are talking about an attempt that would end with isolating 460,000 people from their capital, Baku. Targeting a civilian international airport is a red line. Under ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) regulations, interfering with civilian flight paths is a form of state-sponsored provocation that risks the lives of hundreds of innocent passengers.

The Geopolitical “Why?”

Why now? The answer lies in the Zangezur Corridor.

Iran fears losing its transit monopoly between Trkiye and Central Asia. By threatening Nakhchivan’s air space, they are trying to gain a bargaining chip against Azerbaijan’s infrastructure projects. It is a signal to Baku that “if you seek a corridor through the land, we will close your corridor through the sky.” This thesis has been around for a big amount of period, especially since Azerbaijan regained its occupied territories. Perhaps the current situation in Iran suggests that it might be a great time to implement this idea. However, Tehran’s plans might be to: cause panic, trying to justify its defensive act against US and Israel forces. Consequently, that means the countries would decide to put diplomatic pressure on the US specifically. The other reason also comes within the effect of this war atmosphere – basically implying the idea “If I am going down, we are all going down”.

However, unlike the 90s, Azerbaijan today possesses the technological and diplomatic depth to ensure its “Lungs” keep breathing. Now let us see how the situation unfolds further.

A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in personnel training has been signed between the Vocational Education Center under the Economic Zones Development Agency of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and Bayraktar Technology Azerbaijan LLC, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the agency, the document was signed by Kenan Bagirov, Director of the Vocational Education Center, and Huseyn Topuz, Director of Bayrraktar Technology Azerbaijan.

The memorandum envisages cooperation in assessing personnel needs in the industry, organizing training programs in specialties aligned with labor market demands, and developing modern and innovative educational programs. The agreement also includes collaboration in the field of scientific research.

The initiative aims to support the preparation of qualified specialists for industry while strengthening links between vocational education and technological development.

Bayraktar Technology Azerbaijan was established in 2022. Huseyn Topuz previously served as a field coordinator for the Turkish company Baykar Makina.

Baykar Makina is known for producing Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which were widely used by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the 2020 Patriotic War. The UAVs were developed by Selçuk Bayraktar, who serves as the technical director of Baykar Defense.

The United Kingdom has strongly condemned the drone strikes launched on Nakhchivan, calling them ‘completely unacceptable.’

As reported by AzerNEWS, Fergus Auld, the British Ambassador to Azerbaijan, wrote on social media:

“The UK condemns any actions that threaten Azerbaijan’s security. We stand in full solidarity with Azerbaijan and those affected during this difficult time. The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation.”

On March 5, Nakhchivan International Airport was targeted in a drone attack. The drones, which took off from Iranian territory, struck the airport building and exploded near the secondary school in Shekerabad village of Babek District.

At least four civilians have been reported injured. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued a statement demanding that the Islamic Republic of Iran clarify the incident promptly, provide explanations, and take immediate measures to prevent similar events in the future.

The Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mojtaba Darmchilu, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a strong protest was delivered.

A grand premiere of the opera “Nasimi” has taken place in Baku, an event already being described as one of the most remarkable highlights of the current musical season, AzerNEWS reports.

For the first time in Azerbaijan, artificial intelligence technologies were used in staging an opera, giving the production a distinctive scale and modern resonance. The project, presented in a new format at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, became a bold synthesis of classical operatic art and 21st-century digital solutions.

From the very first minutes, it became clear that the audience was about to witness not merely a performance but a large artistic narrative. Music, lighting, scenography, and visual effects worked as a single organism, intensifying the dramatic story of the great poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi. The opera “Nasimi,” combining classical Eastern philosophy with symphonic thinking and national musical elements, created a monumental stage composition.

The author of the concept and music, People’s Artist Siyavush Karimi, offered a contemporary interpretation of the poet’s fate, a man for whom truth and spiritual freedom stood above fear and even life itself. The composer’s rich orchestral palette, dramatic climaxes of choral scenes, and the emotional expressiveness of solo parts transported the audience into the complex socio-spiritual atmosphere of the 14th century.

The dramaturgical basis of the production was created by academician Rafael Huseynov, who combined historical accuracy with an artistic interpretation of the era. The story of Nasimi unfolded not as a chronicle of the past but as a living dialogue with the present. The opera explores the connection between the worldview of Nasimi and that of his mentor Fazlullah Naimi. It also reflects the political and religious confrontations of the period, while Nasimi’s poetry, sounding like a manifesto of inner human freedom is presented through dynamic and expressive dramaturgy.

The conductor and musical director of the production was Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev. The choirmaster was Honored Cultural Figure Sevil Hajiyeva; the stage director was Honored Artist Inara Babayeva; the choreographer was Honored Artist Yuri Lobachev; and the production designer was Nargiz Guliyeva. The concertmasters included Tofig Shikhiev, Roza Salimova, and Nushaba Isa.

The performance featured opera singers, actors, and mugham performers. The leading role was performed by Honored Artist and vocalist Ramil Gasimov. His portrayal of Nasimi presented not a distant philosopher but a living human being, filled with inner fire, doubts, and unwavering faith.

After the premiere, Gasimov shared his impressions:

“Nasimi is not only a historical figure. He is an energy, an idea of freedom that still resonates today. For me, this role carries enormous responsibility. His poetry requires not only vocal mastery but also inner honesty. One must live through every line and every thought. Only then will the audience believe.”

The performance also featured People’s Artists Nureddin Mehtikhanli (The Chronicler) and Teyyub Aslanov (Fazlullah Naimi), as well as Honored Artists Anton Fershtandt (Vizier), Tural Aghasiyev (Zahid), Arzu Aliyeva (Fatima), and Ilkin Ahmadov (Abdulgadir Maraghi). Other performers included Fatima Jafarzade (Senem), Sema Hamzayeva (Nasimi’s mother), Fahmin Ahmadli (Shahkhandan), Mahir Taghizade (Amir Teymur), Aliakhmad Ibrahimov (Vakil), Hidayat Aliyev (Melikshuara), Fuad Azizov (The Jailer), Emil Ismayilov (Gazi), Khayal Huseynov (Merchant), Ruslan Persan (First Guard), and Orkhan Jalilov (Second Guard).

The production also featured the symphony orchestra, choir, and ballet troupe of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, adding scale and dynamic energy to the performance.

The use of artificial intelligence became not merely a technological experiment but an integral part of the production’s artistic language, enhancing its emotional impact. Digital visual solutions recreated the atmosphere of the 14th century-a time of spiritual exploration, religious debate, and political confrontation. In this staging, every element served the central idea. When the audience rose to its feet in applause at the finale and the creative team was invited on stage to a standing ovation, it was clear that Nasimi was once again speaking to us through his ??????????. For artists, this is the highest reward.

Concluding the evening, Rafael Huseynov remarked:

“Nasimi is not only a poet of the 14th century. He is a living spiritual force that unites us. Spiritual unity has always been and remains the greatest human need. Great poets and creators have a special mission. It is no coincidence that throughout the world thinkers have often been placed alongside prophets. The immortality of Nasimi lies not only in the beauty of his poetry. The main mission of great poets is to unite people. The highest reward for creators is sincere applause coming from the heart.”

The premiere of “Nasimi” became not just a theatrical event but a major cultural statement, a bold dialogue between past and future, tradition and technology, poetry and stage art, celebrating national moral values and literary-philosophical heritage.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az,Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov held a meeting with Indonesia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, Berlian Helmi, to discuss opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, AzerNEWS reports.

During the meeting, the sides explored prospects for strengthening collaboration in energy security, renewable energy, and sustainable development, as well as promoting business partnerships and investment in the energy sector.

Particular attention was given to the continuation of crude oil supplies from Azerbaijan to Indonesia and the potential participation of both sides in joint exploration and production projects in the oil and gas sector. The discussions also addressed the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and Indonesia’s Pertamina in the fields of oil products and oil and gas processing.

The parties also highlighted the significant renewable energy potential of both countries. Opportunities for cooperation in wind and solar energy projects, as well as the application of waste-to-energy technologies and biomass-based energy production, were discussed.

During the talks, both sides stressed the importance of actively involving the private sector alongside state institutions in the development of energy cooperation.

It was also agreed that the first meeting of the Azerbaijan-Indonesia Energy Working Group will be held in the near future to further advance collaboration in the sector.

The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has condemned drone attacks carried out from Iranian territory targeting civilian infrastructure in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, AzerNEWS reports.

In a statement released on March 5, the ministry said the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against Nakhchivan International Airport and other civilian sites in the exclave.

According to the statement, the drones were deployed from Iranian territory. Authorities noted that the technical parameters of the UAVs and the full details of the attacks are currently under investigation.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry strongly condemned the strikes, emphasizing that the attacks targeted civilian infrastructure and were carried out despite the absence of any military necessity.

‘The Islamic Republic of Iran bears full responsibility for the incident,’ the statement said.

The ministry added that Azerbaijan is preparing the necessary response measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Officials also stressed that the attacks will not go unanswered.

Azerbaijan does not intend to abandon state oversight of the economy but rather transform it into a more efficient and modern system, Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov said at a forum in Baku.

As reported by AzerNEWS, speaking at the forum titled ‘Vision for the Future of the Tax System: A New Governance Model and Data-Driven Decisions,’ Sharifov said relations between the state and business in Azerbaijan are entering a new phase.

He stressed that sustainable economic growth cannot rely solely on administrative regulation.

‘Economic development is possible not only through administrative regulation but through a system of relations based on trust,’ Sharifov said. ‘Predictable policies, clear rules and a stable approach are key indicators of a healthy business environment.’

The deputy prime minister noted that the government’s goal is not to eliminate or significantly reduce oversight, but to reshape it.

‘The objective is to make oversight smarter, more efficient and better aligned with economic processes,’ he said, adding that efforts to reduce the shadow economy should be seen as part of this systematic and institutional approach.

Sharifov also highlighted the importance of well-defined fiscal priorities, efficient public spending and stronger non-oil revenue sources in Azerbaijan’s budget policy.

‘In this context, tax policy should not be viewed solely as a tool to maximize fiscal revenues,’ he said. ‘It must also serve as an important instrument that shapes economic behavior, influences investment decisions and helps maintain social balance.’

According to Sharifov, taxes and mandatory social contributions should not suppress economic activity. Instead, they should encourage entrepreneurship while simultaneously ensuring a stable financial base for funding social obligations and safeguarding public welfare.