Category: Azer News

The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has presented the one-act production “Orpheus and Eurydice” by the great Austrian composer and reformer of opera, Christoph Willibald Gluck, AzerNEWS reports.

The evening became a true celebration for admirers of classical art. The production brought together opera and ballet within a unified space, where music, movement, and scenography created a cohesive and emotionally rich composition. The performance was met with prolonged applause, becoming a notable event in the cultural life of the capital.

The plot is based on the ancient myth about the great power of love. Orpheus, having lost his beloved Eurydice, cannot come to terms with her death and resolves to descend into the underworld to bring her back to life. His divine gift-music, softens even the hearts of the rulers of Hades. Orpheus is allowed to lead Eurydice away, but on one condition: he must not look back at her until they reach the world of the living. Unable to withstand doubt and anxiety, the hero turns around-and loses his beloved once again. However, the power of love and devotion prevails: by Cupid’s will, fate grants the lovers hope and reunion.

The leading roles were performed by Honored Artist Ilham Nazarov (Orpheus) and Honored Artist Farida Mammadova (Eurydice), who imbued their characters with deep emotionality and dramatic intensity. The role of Cupid was performed by Zumrud Davudova.

In the ballet scenes, the plastic interpretation of the story was presented by Honored Artist Anar Mikayilov (Orpheheus) and Liana Praga (Eurydice), adding special expressiveness and dynamism to the production.

At the conductor’s stand was Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev, whose interpretation of the score emphasized the dramatic depth of the work. The chorus master was Honored Art Worker Sevil Hajiyeva. The stage director and ballet producer was Honored Artist Yury Lobachev, and the production designer was Honored Art Worker Tehran Babayev. The répétiteurs were Daniil Kirillov and Nushaba Isa.

The staging concept, the harmonious combination of vocal performance and movement, and the philosophical depth of the plot transformed the production into a poignant reflection on love, fidelity, and human frailty.

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

Speaking before diplomats and analysts at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified that his administration is not seeking the withdrawal of the Russian military base in Gyumri, even as the bilateral relationship undergoes a fundamental “transformation”, AzerNEWS reports.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come during an official visit to Poland, where he addressed the complexities of Armenia’s shifting security architecture and its cooling ties with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

‘As for the Russian military presence in our country, you know that some changes have taken place in recent years. Until 2024, most of Armenia’s border checkpoints were under Russian control, or there was a presence of Russian border guards, for example, at our international airport. However, currently, all of our border checkpoints are controlled by Armenian border guards. Naturally, we are grateful to Russia. As a newly independent state in the early 1990s, we did not have the capacity to provide such services, but now we do, and we are developing our capabilities. We have no plans or concerns regarding the presence of the Russian military base. We are close partners with Russia and maintain strong economic and political ties,’ the Prime Minister of Armenia elaborated.

He highlighted that Armenia has frozen its membership in the CSTO.

‘This is related to certain events that took place in 2022. Armenia was disappointed with the CSTO because, despite its legal obligations, it did not adequately respond to Armenia’s security challenges. On the other hand, we say that Armenia’s relations with Russia are transforming. We are currently shaping a new relationship with Russia. Of course, we are determined and would like to develop our relations with Russia, but it is clear that these relations are changing due to multiple factors. It is also very important to emphasize that in November 2020, Russia and the role of the Russian President were decisive in establishing a ceasefire with Azerbaijan,’ Pashinyan said.

This Thursday, February 26, Iranian and US representatives are scheduled to hold another round of nuclear talks in Geneva. The talks come at a time of heightened military tensions in the Middle East, with US President Donald Trump warning that ‘limited strikes’ remain on the table if no agreement is reached.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that an ‘unprecedented agreement’ serving the interests of both sides is possible, and that Tehran is preparing to present a formal package of proposals. Against this backdrop, the US has deployed its largest military force in the region in decades, including aircraft carriers and fighter jets. Meanwhile, new protests in Iran have added pressure, making this meeting appear to many observers as a ‘last chance.’ Washington seeks to block Iran’s ability to acquire nuclear weapons, while Tehran demands recognition of its right to a ‘peaceful’ nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.

Whenever tensions rise between Iran and the United States, one narrow waterway moves to the center of global attention – the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this month, Tehran signaled how it might respond to an attack by temporarily closing sections of this strategic passage, which links the Gulf to open seas.

To assess the likelihood and implications of such a move, AzerNEWS spoke with Dr. Frank Musmar, a political analyst specializing in the Middle East, Turkiye, and the Caucasus. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between immediate and long-term threats to inform strategic planning.

Dr. Musmar noted that the probability of Iran initiating a full, long-term closure of the Strait of Hormuz is low. This assessment, he argued, should reassure policymakers about regional stability despite frequent threats.

Q: Considering that around 20% of global oil supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, what impact would a closure have on global oil supply and prices?

A closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil passes, would trigger an immediate shock to energy markets. Oil prices could surge to $120-$150 per barrel, with US gasoline prices potentially exceeding $3-$4 per gallon. This would fuel worldwide inflationary pressures.

A sustained disruption of 20 million barrels per day would cause a global supply crisis, as alternative pipelines can bypass only about 15% of that volume. Countries heavily reliant on Gulf energy, such as China, India, and Japan, would face severe shortages. Maritime insurers might suspend coverage or demand exorbitant premiums, forcing shipping companies to halt traffic or take longer, costlier routes.

Q: What lessons can past Strait of Hormuz crises teach us about today’s market risks?

Historical precedent is instructive. The strait was effectively closed or severely impacted during the 1973 oil crisis and the 1979 Iranian Revolution, both of which triggered massive price shocks.

More limited disruptions such as the 1980s ‘tanker war’ or modern drone incidents are more likely than a full closure. Yet even these smaller-scale actions create immediate volatility in oil futures, impacting global supply chains.

Mitigating factors exist: Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline can bypass the strait, though it handles only a fraction of Gulf exports. Strategic petroleum reserves in the US, China, and OECD countries, along with diversified supply chains, provide some buffer against short-term disruptions.

Q: From Azerbaijan’s standpoint as a regional energy producer, how could a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz affect its oil exports and energy strategy?

A disruption would significantly boost Azerbaijan’s energy strategy by driving up global oil prices and enhancing the value of its non-Persian Gulf export routes, particularly the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.

Baku would likely face increased demand for Caspian oil and lucrative opportunities to expand exports to Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan’s diversified pipeline network, including Baku-Novorossiysk and Baku-Supsa, positions it as a reliable energy partner outside the Gulf.

Revenue gains from surging oil prices could accelerate Azerbaijan’s plans to expand pipeline capacity and strengthen its role in reducing Europe’s reliance on Gulf-dependent suppliers.

Q: Given that Azerbaijan shares a border with Iran, how might a war against Iran affect its energy security and regional stability?

A war against Iran would severely disrupt Azerbaijan’s energy security. It could threaten infrastructure, halt critical trans-border energy swaps (notably with Nakhchivan), and sever regional transit corridors.

The 765-km border puts Azerbaijani infrastructure at risk of spillover, requiring heightened security around pipelines through Georgia and Turkiye. The key gas swap agreement, under which Iran receives gas from Turkmenistan and delivers an equivalent amount to Nakhchivan, would likely collapse, forcing Azerbaijan to seek alternative supplies.

Joint energy projects in the Caspian Sea could also be halted. Most critically, Azerbaijan would face a ‘delicate balancing act’ between its strategic partnership with Israel , which often targets Iranian assets, and its need to maintain stability along its southern border.

Azerbaijan National Art Museum has hosted a lecture titled “The Khojaly Genocide in Visual Arts” in commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, AzerNEWS reports.

The event opened with the performance of the national anthem, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s freedom and territorial integrity.

The lecture, presented by Asad Guliyev, Head of the Museum’s Exhibition and Design Department and an art historian, focused on how the Khojaly genocide has been represented in Azerbaijani visual art. He discussed the various artistic approaches to the subject, stressing the significance of the museum’s extensive collection of paintings and graphic works, which serve as a vivid artistic chronicle of this historical tragedy.

Behram Sheydayev, a retired colonel and head of the Yasamal district branch of the Public Union of Disabled Veterans and Families of Martyrs of the Karabakh War, emphasized the importance of promoting the truth about Khojaly. He noted that preserving the memory of the victims is a moral duty for every citizen.

The lecture was well-received by attendees, who particularly appreciated how depictions of the Khojaly genocide in visual arts play a crucial role in shaping collective historical memory.

The tragic events unfolded on February 25-26, 1992, when Armenian armed forces, with direct support from the 366th regiment of the former USSR stationed in Khankandi in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region, launched a brutal attack on Khojaly from multiple directions.

The result was devastating, with approximately 613 civilians, predominantly women and children, losing their lives in the massacre.

Around 1,000 individuals were left disabled, eight families were completely wiped out, 25 children were orphaned, and 130 children lost at least one parent.

Some 1,275 innocent people were taken captive, and the whereabouts of 150 individuals remain unknown to this day.

Armenia has formally requested assistance from the European Union to counter potential Russian interference ahead of its parliamentary elections scheduled for June, AzerNEWS reports via Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

In Wider Europe, RFE/RL’s newsletter covering the EU, NATO, and Eastern Europe, Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak wrote that Brussels is preparing to deploy a ‘hybrid rapid response team’ to help identify and counter Russian disinformation efforts during the election period.

Jozwiak cited a letter seen by RFE/RL in which Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan requested on February 13 that the EU dispatch such a team. According to the report, the EU is considering not only a temporary deployment but also ‘potentially’ establishing a more permanent civilian mission with a similar mandate in the future.

Modelled on the Moldova mission

RFE/RL noted that the EU previously sent a 20-person team to Moldova during its parliamentary elections last year.

‘Both Brussels and Chi?inau deemed the project a success and the European Union is now keen to replicate the effort in Armenia as the country faces crucial elections that Russia is expected to try to influence,’ Jozwiak wrote.

Ahead of Moldova’s September 2025 elections, the EU said it had provided Chi?inau with ‘targeted support’ to enhance cybersecurity and combat illegal financial flows, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas confirmed in December 2025 that Armenia had requested ‘similar help to fight the malign influence, like [the EU] granted to Moldova.’

Earlier in December 2025, Armenia and the EU signed a new strategic agenda prioritising cooperation against hybrid threats.

Over the past year, Armenian officials have repeatedly accused Russia of waging a hybrid campaign against the country, an allegation Moscow has denied, describing it as ‘another round of aggressive language that causes bewilderment.’

An agreement has been reached to expand the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed between Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

As reported by AzerNEWS, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, shared the update on his official X account following a meeting with Turkiye’s Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, held within the framework of the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkiye Business Forum.

Jabbarov noted that discussions focused on deepening economic partnership between the two friendly nations, ensuring sustainable growth in trade turnover and investments, improving the legal framework for business cooperation, and strengthening collaboration in energy, industrial production, transport, logistics, tourism, and other sectors.

‘Within the discussions, we reached an agreement on expanding the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Turkiye,’ he stated.

The Preferential Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye was signed on February 25, 2020, to promote preferential trade between the two countries.

The agreement entered into force on March 1, 2021, allowing a number of products to be exported to Turkiye under preferential terms without the payment of import duties.

On March 1, 2024, a protocol introducing amendments to the agreement came into force in Turkey.

Speaking to local media during the 2nd Azerbaijan-Turkiye Investment Forum in Baku, Bolat said that technical teams from both countries are currently conducting impact analyses and assessments regarding a potential Free Trade Agreement.

‘Our official position is that, when the time is right, it will also be possible to sign a Free Trade Agreement between Turkiye and Azerbaijan,’ he emphasized.

According to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkiye amounted to $431.7 million in January this year. This represents a decrease of $51.6 million, or 10.7%, compared to the same period in 2025.

Exports from Azerbaijan to Turkiye totaled $268.2 million in January, down $39.9 million, or 13%, year-on-year.

Of this amount, $19.5 million consisted of crude oil and crude petroleum products obtained from bituminous minerals, with export volumes reaching 41,800 tons. Compared to January last year, exports of these products to Turkiye increased 4.6 times in value terms (up $15.3 million) and 4.8 times in volume (up 33,100 tons).

Non-oil exports to Turkiye amounted to $31.4 million during the reporting month, marking a decline of $5.7 million, or 15.3%, compared to January 2025. Non-oil exports to Turkiye accounted for 11.72% of Azerbaijan’s total non-oil exports, ranking Turkiye fourth among Azerbaijan’s top destinations for non-oil exports during the period.

Imports from Turkiye to Azerbaijan reached $163.6 million in January, down $11.6 million, or 6.6%, year-on-year.

Overall, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkiye approached $6 billion last year, underscoring the strategic economic partnership between the two countries.

An academic session titled “Khojaly’s Unceasing Cry” has taken place at National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, AzerNEWS reports. The event was timed to the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy.

The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Khojaly massacre.

The session was opened by the museum’s director, Academician Rafael Huseynov, who spoke about the scale, devastating consequences, and the political and legal dimensions of the Khojaly tragedy committed in February 1992. He described the Khojaly genocide as one of the bloodiest chapters in the more than 200-year campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by Armenian nationalists against the Azerbaijani people, emphasizing that it was a grave crime against humanity.

Academician Huseynov noted that the Khojaly genocide claimed the lives of 613 people, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly individuals. The particular brutality with which civilians were killed, he stressed, proves the calculated cruelty of the act. They were targeted and murdered simply because they were Azerbaijanis living in Khojaly, in Karabakh.

The museum director underlined that the tragedy received its first political and legal assessment at the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. On February 24, 1994, the Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the resolution “On the Day of the Khojaly Genocide.”

In his remarks, the academician also emphasized that raising international awareness of the Khojaly genocide has consistently held an important place in the foreign policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev.

He further highlighted the significance of the international campaign ‘Justice for Khojaly!’, launched at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva.

Academician Huseynov stressed that, under the leadership of the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief , President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity and full sovereignty as a result of the historic Victory, and that Khojaly, like other regions of Karabakh, has been liberated from occupation. The blood of the nation’s martyrs, he noted, has not gone unavenged.

During the academic session, presentations were delivered on the topics “The Reflection of Khojaly’s Reality in Poetry” and “The Realities of the Karabakh War in the Prose of Alisafa Azayev.”

The Valley of Data Centers project is being implemented in Kazakhstan with the goal of creating the largest data center campus in Central Asia, featuring an energy capacity of up to 1 GW, AzerNEWS reports.

The project was officially launched in January 2026 in the city of Ekibastuz, located in the Pavlodar Region, and is currently in the active implementation phase.

The launch of the Valley of Data Centers is expected to establish a major regional hub for digital infrastructure and high-performance computing in Kazakhstan. The project aims to attract up to $30 billion in investments and create more than 500 highly qualified jobs in engineering, IT, and energy management.

The Government of Kazakhstan is providing comprehensive infrastructural and legal support for the initiative. Land plots with a total area of 1,400 hectares have already been allocated. A key component of the project is the development of a dedicated Greenfield zone designed to attract international technology partners. The initial capacity of this zone will reach up to 100 MW, with significant potential for further expansion.

In addition, the project benefits from Ekibastuz’s strong energy base and proximity to major power plants, which ensures stable electricity supply and competitive energy costs. The campus is also expected to integrate advanced energy-efficient technologies and explore the use of renewable energy sources to enhance sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint.

The progress of the project was reviewed at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, where key milestones and further development plans were discussed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Trkiye has shared a statement commemorating the victims of the Khojaly tragedy.

As reported by AzerNEWS, the statement was published on the ministry’s official X account.

‘We commemorate with respect and mercy the cherished memory of our Azerbaijani brothers who were killed in Khojaly on February 26, 1992. We always feel the pain of dear Azerbaijan in our hearts,’ the statement said.

Today marks the 34th anniversary of the events in Khojaly, which Azerbaijan describes as genocide committed by Armenian armed forces.

The Khojaly tragedy is considered one of the bloodiest episodes of Armenia’s occupation policy and campaign of violence against Azerbaijan.

On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces launched an assault on Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections cut off. During the attack, mass atrocities were committed against Azerbaijani civilians.

The massacre was carried out with the assistance of the 366th Motor Rifle Regiment of the former USSR. As a result, 613 residents were killed, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people. Another 487 people were injured, 1,275 were taken hostage and reportedly subjected to torture, and the fate of many remains unknown. Eight families were completely wiped out, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 children lost both parents.

The 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series has kicked off in Tirana, the capital of Albania, AzerNEWS reports.

Five members of Azerbaijan’s freestyle wrestling team took to the mat on the opening day, with three of them reaching the podium.

At 57 kg, Islam Bazarqanov delivered an impressive run. He defeated Germany’s Niklas Stechele (3-2), American Liam Smith Cronin (5-0), and Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz (6-1) to advance to the semifinals. Although he fell to Russia’s Ramiz Gamzatov (1-3) in the semifinal, Bazarqanov bounced back strongly in the bronze medal bout, overpowering India’s Akshay Tanaji Dhere (9-2) to secure a place on the podium.

Rashid Babazada (65 kg) also showcased remarkable determination. He stormed past Germany’s Nico Megerle (12-2), Bulgaria’s Mikyay Salim Nayim (8-7), and Ecuador’s Joshua Alexander Kramer (10-0) to book a semifinal berth.

In a dramatic clash for a spot in the final, Babazada faced U.S.-based world champion Vitali Arujau, an American of Azerbaijani descent. In a fiercely contested match, Babazada executed a decisive four-point move in the closing seconds to claim an 18-15 victory and advance to the final. There, he met India’s Sujeet Sujeet, the reigning U23 world champion. Despite his efforts, Babazada was defeated 0-10, finishing the tournament with a silver medal.

At 74 kg, Kenan Heybatov was edged out in the round of 16 by Kyrgyz wrestler Orozbek Toktomambetov (1-3). Competing in the same weight category, Turan Bayramov also exited at the same stage, losing to American Quincy Monday (1-5).

In the 86 kg division, Arseniy Dzhioyev produced one of the standout performances of the day. He defeated Russia’s world and two-time European champion Akhmed Usmanov (3-1) and Georgia’s world and European medalist Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (6-4).

However, he narrowly missed out on a place in the final after a tight 2-3 loss to Russia’s Ibragim Kadiev. Dzhioyev responded emphatically in the bronze medal match, overcoming American two-time Olympic medalist and four-time world champion Kyle Dake (4-1) to claim Azerbaijan’s third medal of the tournament.

The 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series is a premier United World Wrestling event featuring international freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling.

The event is named in honor of Muhamet Malo, a respected figure in Albanian wrestling.

Around 500 wrestlers are competing in the 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.