Category: Azer News

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, AzerNEWS reports.

“Your Majesty,

On the occasion of the National Day of Brunei Darussalam, I sincerely congratulate you and, through you, your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan.

The current level of Azerbaijan-Brunei relations, built on friendship and mutual respect, is gratifying. I believe that we will continue our joint efforts toward strengthening our interstate ties and further expanding our cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally, in accordance with the interests of our friendly nations.

Taking this pleasant opportunity, I also wholeheartedly congratulate you and your friendly people on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, and I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, as well as lasting peace and prosperity for Brunei Darussalam,” the letter reads.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has proposed creating a national database center to combat fake news and false information, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The draft decree distinguishes between fake news, defined as completely fabricated content, and false information, which refers to content that is partially untrue.

The proposed center would receive reports, complaints, and denunciations related to fake and false information, publicly announce verified cases, issue warnings, and provide guidance and clarifications to the public. It will also coordinate data sharing and labeling of misinformation among ministries, agencies, and local authorities to ensure consistency nationwide.

Under the plan, the Ministry has suggested applying the maximum fines allowed by the Law on Handling Administrative Violations – up to 100 million Vietnamese dong ($3,850) for individuals and 200 million dong ($7,700) for organizations found spreading fake or false information.

Similar initiatives in other countries have shown that centralized misinformation monitoring can significantly reduce the spread of harmful content when paired with public education campaigns. Experts note that combining strict enforcement with digital literacy programs could help Vietnamese citizens critically evaluate online content, making the Internet a safer and more trustworthy space.

On October 9, the Institute of Manuscripts will host a republican scientific conference on the topic “Azerbaijani Women in Science: Achievements and New Challenges”, AzerNEWS reports. The event is timed to the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev’s Girls’ School (1901).

The conference will bring together scientists and researchers from various higher education institutions and research institutions of the country. Those wishing to participate in the event must submit the full text of their reports by May 31.

Information on accepted materials will be announced on June 15-30. Reports of master’s and doctoral students must be submitted together with the opinion of their scientific supervisors, and a scanned version of the opinion must be attached to the documents.

The working languages ??of the conference are Azerbaijani, Turkish, Russian and English.

The conference will feature presentations on topics such as the history and graduates of Taghiyev’s girls’ school, the scientific activities and achievements of Azerbaijani women, scientific challenges faced in the modern era, female manuscript researchers, prominent female figures in classical sources, the image of women in literature, the role of women in education and social activities, and gender equality in science.

The texts of the presentations should be sent to the e-mail address qizlarmektebi125@gmail.com.

The event will be held at 26 Istiglaliyyat Street. For more information, please contact:+994 50 541 78 84.

Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theater has hosted a memorial event to mark the 80th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding actor, People’s Artist, Aliabbas Gadirov (1946-2006), AzerNEWS reports.

People’s Artists Nuraddin Mehdikhanli, Basti Jafarova, Honored Worker of Arts, Professor Ilham Rahimli spoke at the event and spoke about the images created by the acclaimed actor in the history of Azerbaijani theater and cinema, and his contributions to the development of theater art.

Then, the play “Letters from Abroad”, dedicated to the memory of Aliabbas Gadirov, in which the actor once created the image of Mirza Fatali Akhundzade with high professionalism, was demonstrated.

The work, dedicated to the life of the founder of Azerbaijani dramaturgy Mirza Fatali Akhundzade and his son Rashid, brings the ideas of enlightenment and national thought to the stage.

The stage production is directed by People’s Artist Marahim Farzalibeyov, with set design by Honored Worker of Culture Ilham Elkhanoglu and an original score composed by Hamid Kazimzade.

The performance featured an outstanding cast, including People’s Artists Ali Nur, Lalazar Mustafayeva, Haji Ismayilov, and Kazim Abdullayev; Honored Artists Elshan Jabrayilov and Vafa Rzayeva; as well as actors Rustam Rustamov and Elchin Efendi.

The production was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience. Theatergoers warmly applauded the cast and creative team, praising the powerful performances.

Aliabbas Gadirov was born on February 13, 1946, in Baku. From an early age, he showed a strong interest in the performing arts, becoming involved in theater activities while still in the eighth grade. He was a member of a drama group at the Railway Workers’ Club led by People’s Artist Agadadash Gurbanov. It was there that Gadirov developed the foundations of his acting craft, particularly in romantic and monumental stage productions.

In 1965, he enrolled in the Faculty of Drama and Film at the Azerbaijan State Theater Institute named after Mirza Agha Aliyev. Among his teachers were People’s Artist and Professor Mehdi Mammadov and Honored Artist Mukhlis Janizade, who played an important role in shaping his professional skills.

During his student years, Gadirov performed notable roles in stage productions of “Aydin” by Jafar Jabbarly (as Surkhay), “Azer” by Huseyn Javid, and “The Drummer Girl” by Afanasy Salynsky (as Fyodor). In his final year, at the invitation of Mehdi Mammadov, he portrayed Yusif in the tragedy “Khayyam” by Huseyn Javid. The long-awaited premiere took place on March 12, 1970, marking his debut on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater. From April 6, 1970, he became a permanent member of the theater’s acting troupe.

On December 26, 2001, Gadirov was appointed Artistic Director and Director of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater.

In addition to his stage career, Gadirov was widely recognized for his work in television. He appeared in numerous programs on Azerbaijan State Television and hosted the youth program “Mashal” for many years, later contributing to entertainment shows such as “Journey into the World of Comedies”.

Several of his television performances were included in the broadcaster’s “Golden Fund,” including roles in televised plays such as “Lachin’s Nest” by Suleyman Sani Akhundov (Jahangir), “Tekan” by Mammad Murad (Dilgyam), “In the Atayev Family” by Ilyas Afandiyev (Jahangir), “Haji Gara” by Mirza Fatali Akhundov (Heydar-bek), “The Homeless Youth” by Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev (Farhad), “Duel” by Mar Bayjiyev (Iskandar), and “The Last to Enter the Reception Room” by Vladlen Dazortsev (The Man).

Gadirov also achieved significant success in cinema. He was awarded the Azerbaijan State Prize for his portrayal of Nazim in the two-part film “Happiness Is Floating” directed by Eldar Guliyev. Among his other notable film roles were Imran in “On the Shore of Memories”, Ata in “The Song Lesson”, Vagif in “How Good That We Have Samad Vurgun”, Mansur in “The Man of Our House”, Jalil in “The Golden Cliff”, Fariz in “The Old Men”, Fazl in “Babek”, Sultanov in “Signal from the Sea”, and many others.

Aliabbas Gadirov passed away on March 8, 2006, at the age of 60. He was laid to rest at the Second Alley of Honor.

Aliabbas Gadirov is regarded as one of the most prominent representatives of the Azerbaijani acting school of the second half of the twentieth century. His contribution rightfully occupies an honored place in the history of Azerbaijani theater and film.

On February 23, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan-Iran Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, AzerNEWS reports.

During the meeting, Farzaneh Sadegh’s visit to Azerbaijan last year and her previous meeting with President Ilham Aliyev were fondly recalled.

The head of state referred to his recent telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, noting that issues related to cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran, as friendly countries, were discussed during the call.

Expressing satisfaction with the expansion of the bilateral agenda, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the joint projects implemented by Azerbaijan and Iran would create broad opportunities for both countries and the wider region. The head of state expressed hope that all these issues would be discussed during Farzaneh Sadegh’s visit and that the trip would yield positive results.

Farzaneh Sadegh expressed her pleasure at returning to Azerbaijan and thanked the head of state for the reception.

She conveyed the greetings of President Masoud Pezeshkian to the head of state, stressing that the Iranian President attaches special importance to relations with Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the greetings and asked that his own greetings be conveyed to Masoud Pezeshkian.

Farzaneh Sadegh highlighted the historical, religious, and cultural ties between the two countries.

During the meeting, the sides emphasized the significance of the 17th meeting of the State Commission on Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, scheduled to be held in Baku. They also discussed the North-South Transport Corridor, the construction of a highway bridge over the Araz River connecting the Aghband and Kelaleh areas, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Azerbaijan’s economy is projected to grow modestly in the coming years, with BMI, a member of Fitch Solutions, forecasting a 1.4% expansion in 2025 and 2.5% in 2026. Analysts highlight resilient domestic demand, supported by easing inflation and a stable labor market, as the main driver of recovery.

BMI notes that while the oil sector continues to face fiscal constraints and declining global prices, diversification efforts are beginning to yield results. As of December 2025, oil sector GDP accounted for 47.4% of the total, while non-oil GDP reached 52.7%. This reflects an 8.6% growth in non-oil output, even as overall production fell by 2.6% due to a steep 7.3% decline in oil production.

Private consumption is expected to contribute around 2.5 percentage points to GDP growth in 2026, driven by rising real wages, low unemployment at 5.2%, and improved consumer confidence. New trade and investment agreements with major economies like China, Germany, Turkiye, and several European partners are also expected to bolster non-oil sector expansion.

Why are oil prices so volatile?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that Azerbaijani oil prices will remain subdued through the end of the decade, averaging $66.7 per barrel in 2026 compared to $69.7 in 2025, with prices hovering in the mid-$60s until 2030 before a slight recovery. Natural gas prices are also forecast to decline, falling to $380.4 per thousand cubic meters in 2026 from $425.4 in 2025.

The reasons behind this prolonged weakness in energy prices are structural: first, global oversupply persists as oil production continues to outpace demand, resulting in elevated inventories that keep consistent downward pressure on prices. Even when geopolitical risks arise, high stockpiles limit sustained price increases.

Second, weak global economic growth continues to weigh on energy demand, as slower industrial output and softer trade flows reduce overall fuel consumption.

Third, policy uncertainty surrounding the energy transition, including stronger commitments to renewable energy in Europe and Asia, is dampening long-term expectations for hydrocarbon demand.

Finally, while geopolitical tensions in major producing regions can create short-term volatility, they have not been sufficient to reverse the broader trend driven by oversupply and subdued demand.

Azerbaijan’s economy remains structurally vulnerable due to its high exposure to global energy markets. With nearly half of GDP linked to oil, any prolonged period of low prices could significantly constrain fiscal revenues and reduce the government’s capacity for public investment.

At the same time, rising wages and stable employment are providing an important domestic demand cushion against external shocks, although sustaining this support will require prudent inflation management and continued progress in diversification. The government’s diversification strategy, supported by trade agreements and targeted investment policies, is beginning to show results, but expanding non-oil sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and services will be essential to reducing long-term dependence on hydrocarbons.

Persistently weak oil and gas prices also pose fiscal risks, testing budget sustainability and forcing policymakers to carefully balance short-term consumption-driven growth with deeper structural reforms.

Azerbaijan’s economic growth in the coming years will mainly be driven by increased domestic spending and the development of non-oil sectors. In other words, not only oil but also other sectors will contribute more to the economy. Therefore, while the situation is not entirely risk-free, it can be described as cautiously optimistic.

These forecasts suggest that the diversification process, although not yet fully visible, is expected to yield positive results in the coming years. As a country whose economy depends heavily on oil and gas, Azerbaijan’s development of the non-oil sector should be gradual rather than sudden.

In the long run, however, everything depends on how successfully the country can diversify its economy. If global energy prices remain low for an extended period, Azerbaijan will need to adapt. This makes it essential to reduce dependence on oil and gas while strengthening other sectors.

The main challenge will be transforming current stability into sustainable, long-term economic growth beyond oil.

From February 16 to 22, a total of 28 anti-tank mines, 175 anti-personnel mines, and 796 unexploded ordnance (UXO) were discovered and safely neutralized in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.

As reported by AzerNEWS, according to the weekly report by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), these findings are part of ongoing humanitarian demining operations in areas previously affected by conflict.

During this period, 1,616.5 hectares of land were successfully cleared of mines and explosive remnants, enhancing safety for local communities and enabling the return of displaced residents.

ANAMA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), the State Border Service (SBS), and four private companies, conducted demining operations in Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojali, Khankendi, Shusha, Khojavend, Lachin, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan, as well as in the newly liberated villages of Baghanis Ayrum, Ashaghi Askipara, Kheyrimli, and Gizilhacili in the Gazakh district.

These efforts are part of Azerbaijan’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its liberated territories and supporting the return of citizens to their homes.

Four years have now passed since Russia attacked Ukraine, yet this anniversary, too, was marked not by negotiations at the table but by Russian drone strikes. Although the years have gone by quickly, the deepening of the war has slowed political processes and pushed the parties further and further away from any framework for peace. The cold and freezing winter months have put Kyiv to a harder test, even creating additional moments of tension with countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine now finds itself face-to-face with Russia’s relentless and ruthless attacks, and, deprived of energy supplies, the authorities in Kyiv are searching for alternative solutions.

The war in Ukraine has entered a bitter and revealing phase. It is because of Russia’s intensive missile strikes in Kyiv while temperatures plunge to minus twenty-two degrees. More than half a million people in the capital have been left without electricity. Odesa and Kharkiv have endured repeated bombardment. The Kremlin has made clear that it views the energy grid not as civilian infrastructure but as a legitimate instrument of coercion. In this freezing winter, darkness itself has become a weapon.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists there has been no pause in the aerial assault, despite talks brokered by Washington and held in Geneva last week. Moscow’s demand that Ukraine surrender territory in the Donbas region remains unchanged. For Kyiv, such concessions would amount to national capitulation. The military stalemate in the east is therefore mirrored by a political deadlock that shows no sign of easing.

Yet while Ukraine withstands pressure from the east, it now faces mounting strain from within the European Union. Hungary and Slovakia have escalated a dispute over Russian oil deliveries that risks to undermine European unity at a pivotal moment. Both governments are demanding the resumption of crude flows through the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory and has long served as a vital artery for central European refineries.

Kyiv maintains that a Russian drone strike in January damaged the pipeline, disrupting supplies. Budapest and Bratislava, however, accuse Ukraine of dragging its feet over repairs. Hungary has threatened to block a new package of EU sanctions against Moscow. Slovakia has gone further, warning it will halt emergency electricity exports to Ukraine if oil deliveries are not restored.

The political symbolism is stark. As Ukrainian cities shiver in darkness following missile strikes, two neighbouring EU states are leveraging their energy grievances to extract concessions. Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, has stated openly that until oil shipments resume, Budapest will refuse to support decisions important to Kyiv. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Zelenskyy of acting maliciously and framed the stoppage as a direct economic injury to Slovakia.

Energy has always been central to Russia’s strategy in Europe. For decades, Moscow cultivated dependence through pipelines such as Druzhba, embedding itself in the economic lifeblood of former Eastern Bloc states. The invasion of Ukraine was meant to redraw borders by force. The energy war that followed has sought to redraw political loyalties.

Hungary and Slovakia argue that their energy security is at stake. Their refineries are configured to process Russian crude, and alternative supplies require costly adjustments. Domestic politics also play a role. Both governments have adopted a more conciliatory tone towards the Kremlin than many of their EU partners. By tying support for sanctions to the restoration of oil flows, they are signalling that national economic considerations outweigh collective geopolitical resolve.

But this stance carries consequences. The European Union is preparing its twentieth sanctions package against Moscow, timed to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the invasion. Sanctions are among the few instruments available to the bloc to exert pressure without direct military involvement. If internal divisions prevent agreement, the signal to the Kremlin will be unmistakable.

There is also a moral dimension that cannot be ignored. Ukraine’s energy grid is being systematically targeted in sub zero conditions. Civilian suffering is not incidental but integral to Moscow’s strategy. For EU member states to condition their support on the uninterrupted flow of Russian oil risks reinforcing precisely the leverage the Kremlin seeks to maintain.

At the same time, Kyiv must recognise the complexity of its neighbours’ position. Energy interdependence is not undone overnight. If technical repairs to Druzhba are genuinely feasible, transparency and urgency would help defuse accusations of deliberate delay. Ukraine’s diplomatic challenge is to preserve solidarity while under siege, a task made harder by the daily reality of missile strikes and power outages.

The broader lesson is that Europe remains caught between principle and pragmatism. The war has accelerated diversification away from Russian energy, yet pockets of dependence endure. As long as oil and gas flows remain intertwined with political calculations, Moscow retains a degree of influence.

Winter has laid bare the fragility of both infrastructure and alliances. The Kremlin’s bombardment seeks to break Ukrainian resilience. The dispute over Druzhba tests European cohesion. In this contest, the stakes extend beyond barrels of crude. They concern the credibility of the European project and its willingness to sustain support for a country fighting for its sovereignty.

If unity falters over oil, the consequences will echo far beyond this winter. Ukraine’s battlefield is not only in the Donbas or above its cities in the night sky. It is also in the council chambers of Brussels, where decisions about sanctions and solidarity will shape the trajectory of the war as surely as any missile strike.

Member states of the NATO will take part in the annual ‘Dynamic Manta 2026’ naval exercises from February 23 to March 6, AzerNEWS reports.

The maneuvers will be conducted in the central Mediterranean Sea, within the territorial waters of Italy.

The exercises will primarily focus on anti-submarine warfare operations. Participating forces are expected to carry out tactical maneuvers aimed at detecting and tracking submarines, enhancing their capabilities in underwater defense scenarios.

In addition, the drills will involve coordination between air and naval forces, intelligence-sharing activities, and joint operational planning in both deep-sea and littoral environments.

Dynamic Manta is regarded as one of NATO’s key annual multinational exercises dedicated to anti-submarine warfare, bringing together allied naval and air assets to strengthen interoperability and collective defense readiness.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Emperor of Japan Naruhito, AzerNEWS reports.

“Your Majesty,

On the occasion of the national holiday of Japan, your Birthday, it gives me great pleasure to sincerely congratulate you and, through you, your entire people, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, and to convey my best wishes.

On such a remarkable day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your high endeavors, and the friendly people of Japan permanent prosperity and well-being,” the letter reads.