Category: Azer News

In the long arc of protracted conflicts, certain regions transcend their geographic identity and become symbols – catalysts for change, emblems of resilience, and turning points in national consciousness. Jabrayil, a district in southern Azerbaijan, is one such place. Its occupation and liberation are etched into the collective memory of the Azerbaijani people, not merely as historical events, but as emotional milestones that define a generation.

Jabrayil, one of Azerbaijan’s ancient settlements, was occupied on August 23, 1993, by Armenian armed forces. The scale of devastation was staggering: one city, four settlements, and 92 villages were completely destroyed. The district’s infrastructure and cultural heritage were ravaged – 72 schools, 8 hospitals, 150 cultural centers, and 132 historical monuments were destroyed. The total damage was estimated at $13.9 billion. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper tragedy: 52,000 people became internally displayed. Saying ‘they became internally displaced’ may sound simple in words, but in reality, it meant the collapse of lives. Families lost homes and properties they had built with decades of labor, forced to flee with nothing but their lives, enduring years in tents or cramped administrative buildings.

And Jabrayil was not alone. Over 750,000 Azerbaijanis from Garabagh and surrounding regions, and more than 250,000 refugees expelled from Armenia, shared this fate. Yet this suffering did not break the spirit of the Azerbaijani people. On the contrary, it galvanized them. As the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The pain became a unifying force, a shared purpose. The belief that occupied territories would one day be liberated began – symbolically and strategically – with Jabrayil.

In 2016, during the Four-Day War, Azerbaijani forces liberated strategic heights around the village of Cocuq M?rcanli in Jabrayil. This victory was more than a military success; it was a psychological breakthrough. For the first time in decades, displaced families returned to their ancestral lands. Cocuq M?rcanli became the herald of the ‘Great Return,’ reigniting hope and reinforcing belief in the possibility of full liberation.

That belief was vindicated in 2020, during the 44-day Patriotic War. On October 4, Jabrayil became the first major settlement to be liberated. The district witnessed some of the largest tank battles in the South Caucasus, resulting in decisive Azerbaijani victories. These battles not only shifted the military balance but also shattered the myth of Armenian invincibility. The psychological tide turned. Confidence surged among Azerbaijani soldiers and citizens alike. Jabrayil once again became a symbol – this time, of triumph.

Today, Jabrayil is free. Its people are no longer displaced. Under state programs, families are returning to rebuild their lives and their homeland. The ashes of destruction are giving way to the foundations of renewal. Today, 117 families – 364 citizens – will celebrate Jabrayil City Day not as guests or refugees, but as permanent residents of their ancestral land. They will live in modern four- and five-story buildings, fully equipped with amenities, surrounded by parks, social facilities, underground and surface parking lots, playgrounds, and sports areas. Their joy knows no bounds.

For 30 years, these citizens lived with longing. Today, they live with pride. They express heartfelt gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, the victorious Commander-in-Chief, and to the brave Azerbaijani Army that restored their dignity. They honor the martyrs who gave their lives so others could return home, and they pray for the health of wounded veterans who carry the scars of war. The people of Jabrayil feel the full embrace of the state’s care and support. And they believe – with unwavering conviction – that their homeland will soon blossom into one of Azerbaijan’s most vibrant regions.

Jabrayil is no longer just a district on the map. It is a testament to the resilience of a nation, the power of unity, and the promise of rebirth. It reminds us that even in the darkest chapters of history, there is light – and that with courage, sacrifice, and faith, a people can reclaim not only their land but their future.

The fencing competitions at the III CIS Games continued at the Ganja Sports Palace, drawing attention from sports fans across the region. Azernews reports that Azerbaijan’s women’s foil team delivered a strong performance but fell short in the semifinals against a formidable Uzbek side, losing 37-45.

Despite the setback, the Azerbaijani squad, comprising Mirnuray Abasova, Aynur Quliyeva, N?zrin Mehdiyeva, and X?dic? H?s?nli, demonstrated resilience and skill to secure the bronze medal. Their achievement reflects the growing strength of Azerbaijan in fencing and highlights the dedication of the country’s young athletes to international competitions.

The III CIS Games, which began earlier this month, have brought together 1,624 athletes from 13 countries to compete across a wide range of sports, from athletics and swimming to team disciplines and combat sports. Organizers have praised the high level of competition and the spirit of camaraderie among participating nations.

The Games will conclude on October 8, with many more medals yet to be decided. Azerbaijan’s fencing team will look to build on their success in future international events, while the bronze medal serves as a source of pride for the athletes, their coaches, and the nation as a whole.

The II National Competition Forum is underway in Baku, bringing together government officials, business leaders, and experts to discuss key issues in market regulation and competition policy, Azernews reports.

The forum was convened to analyze the current state of competition policy in modern economic conditions, regulate the activities of natural monopolies, safeguard public interests, and address existing challenges in the sector. It also aims to facilitate the exchange of views on shaping effective and fair market relations in Azerbaijan.

The event is being attended by Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship of the Milli Majlis Azer Amiraslanov, Chairman of the State Agency for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Supervision under the President Elnur Baghirov, and President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs’ Organizations Mammad Musayev, along with representatives from business associations and the private sector.

Officials emphasized that strengthening competition policy is essential for ensuring consumer rights, increasing efficiency in natural monopolies, and creating a more transparent and competitive business environment. The forum serves as a platform to outline reforms and promote dialogue between the state and the private sector.

Footage of President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Denmark has been published on his social media accounts.

Azernews presents the post:

“President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Denmark (01-02.10.2025)”.

Round 7 of the Azerbaijan Premier League is set to kick off on October 3, Azernews reports.

The two matches will be played on the first day of the round.

In the opening match, “Araz-Nakhchivan” will take on the “Imishli” club, with the game kicking off at 17:00.

In the second match, “Zira” will host “Neftchi” at home, with the match beginning at 19:30.

The remaining matches of the round will be held on October 4-5.

The Azerbaijan Premier League is the top Azerbaijani professional league for men’s association football teams, comprising ten clubs.

Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 36 matches each (playing each team in the league four times, twice at home and twice away).

The Premier League champion secures the right to play in the UEFA Champions League’s first qualifying round.

The runner-up and the third-place winner secured the right to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League, starting in the second qualifying round.

Since 1992, a total of 8 clubs have been crowned champions of the Azerbaijani football system.

The Azerbaijan Premier League was first organised in 2007 and succeeded the Top Division, which existed from 1992 to 2007. FC Qarabag won the title in the 2022-2023 season for the tenth time.

The 2024-25 Azerbaijan Premier League marks the 33rd season of Azerbaijan’s top-tier football competition.

On April 27, 2025, during the 32nd round of the Premier League, Qarabag FC clinched the title with four matches to spare after a 1-1 draw against Sabah.

This victory made them the champions for the 12th time overall and for the fourth consecutive season.

This season is the final one featuring 10 teams, as the league will expand to 12 teams starting from the 2025-26 season.

Armenia has expressed strong interest in normalizing relations with Azerbaijan, emphasizing that Yerevan would be among the main beneficiaries of lasting peace and cooperation in the region, Azernews reports.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made the remarks in an interview with the ‘Polish TPV World’ channel.

‘If we talk about the railway connection, according to experts, its construction may take at least two years. But we can already use the infrastructure and territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan to send and receive cargo. We have begun discussions with our American partners regarding TRIPP, and I think we can complete this process in the coming months, after which construction should start,’ Mirzoyan said.

The minister also underlined that the text of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan has already been initialed, and Yerevan is prepared to sign it ‘as soon as possible.’

Touching on the broader reconciliation process, Mirzoyan acknowledged the heavy psychological legacy of the decades-long conflict: ‘There is a bloody history and memory on both sides. I believe there is still a certain degree of caution between societies, probably on both sides. The reconciliation process will take time. Peace, as I have already noted, has been established, but it requires constant care and daily efforts from both sides.’

Mirzoyan’s remarks highlight Armenia’s recognition of the economic and strategic opportunities tied to regional cooperation, particularly in transport and connectivity, as well as the challenges of overcoming deep-rooted mistrust between the two nations.

On October 2, a powerful photo exhibition dedicated to Azerbaijani landmine victims was opened in Brussels, Belgium, Azernews reports.

The exhibition was organized within the framework of the ‘CulMINATION Point of Danger’ project, implemented by the ‘Gilavar’ Photo Club Public Union with support from the State Support Agency for NGOs of Azerbaijan. The ‘Fireland’ Azerbaijanis Union partnered in the initiative on the Belgian side.

Speaking at the event, Rashad Mehdiyev, Chairman of the Gilavar Photo Club, emphasized that this was the first NGO-led European exhibition series on Azerbaijan’s landmine problem held at such a scale. ‘After Munich, Nuremberg, and Paris, the photos we are exhibiting this time in Brussels can be called ‘talking pictures.’ They tell the stories of people whose lives were destroyed by mines planted by Armenia on Azerbaijani lands. We will not remain silent-the time has come for Armenia’s military-political leaders, responsible for this cruelty during the 30-year occupation, to answer. Our appeal to the world from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, is for the sake of justice,’ he said.

The exhibition features portraits and testimonies of mine victims. For example, the photo of Elmir Bagirov, who lost both legs after stepping on an anti-tank mine before the age of 18, is accompanied by his words: ‘Can a person fall into an anti-tank mine on his own land? It is difficult to imagine, but I survived. From that day my life full of suffering began-I lost my youth and both legs.’ Another photo shows Samir Alizadeh, who lost both legs and an eye: ‘One step, two explosions. You tell me what happens next.’ Similarly, Rahim Garashov recalls losing his leg while rescuing a colleague from mines buried one on top of the other: ‘What were they trying to do by burying the mines like this? Why so much cruelty? While saving someone else, I became a victim myself.’

Through QR codes attached to each portrait, visitors could access additional information and statistics about Azerbaijan’s mine contamination and the ongoing demining efforts.

Organizers noted that the exhibition will continue across Europe, raising awareness of the humanitarian tragedy Azerbaijan faces due to mines planted during Armenia’s occupation of its territories.

A trilateral meeting of government representatives of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran will take place in Baku on October 13-14, Azernews reports.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers, the delegations will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev from Azerbaijan, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk from Russia, and Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzane Sadiqi.

The agenda of the meeting will focus on strengthening cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, energy, and customs.

Dr. Ivana Bozdechová is a distinguished scholar and professor at Charles University in Prague, specializing in Czech literature and translation studies.

Dedicated to advancing Czech literary traditions, Doc. Ivana Bozdechová played a key role in editing the “Classic Czech Short Stories” anthology, which has been translated into Azerbaijani.

In the interview with AZERNEWS, Doc. Ivana Bozdechová explained how this anthology opens a window into Czech culture, providing Azerbaijani readers with a rare opportunity to connect with Czech history, society, and artistic expression.

She expressed her hope that the anthology would spark further interest in Czech literature and strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries.

Q: Could you tell us a bit about the Classic Czech Short Stories anthology? What can readers expect from this collection?

A: This is the very first collection of Czech literature translated into Azerbaijani. It includes 14 Czech writers, spanning from the second half of the 19th century to contemporary literature. The anthology features a mix of classical and modern Czech literature, showcasing a variety of genres.

Among these, eight are living authors, including two women. The collection was designed to reflect the diversity of Czech writing, offering a blend of different genres and voices. The traditional Czech culture represented here will be a unique introduction for readers who might not yet be familiar with Czech literature.

Some of the authors featured are well-known internationally, such as Karel Capek. His work is often celebrated not only for his inventions but for its deep reflection on human nature and societal issues.

The collection aims to give readers an understanding of Czech culture, both historical and contemporary, through short stories that offer different backgrounds, characters, and life perspectives. It is a way to open the imagination and encourage readers to think about the world in a more expansive way. By reading these stories, one can reflect on how life is lived across different cultures and see common themes that unite us all.

Q: Can you tell us about the process behind the creation of this project and how it came to life?

A: I first came to Azerbaijan 10 years ago, when I began teaching the Czech language at Baku Slavic University. I started studying your country and the rich culture of the Azerbaijani people. Given that Czechs are avid readers, yet most of them are unfamiliar with Azerbaijani literature, I came up with the idea: why not introduce our readers to the works of Azerbaijani writers?! As a result of careful work, a collection of Azerbaijani short stories titled “Sari G?lin” was published, translated into Czech by Shabnam Asadova, with me also serving as the editor.

Now, our task was to introduce Azerbaijani readers to the works of Czech authors. Thus, the idea to publish the “Classic Czech Short Stories” anthology was born.

What made this translation process especially challenging was our decision to translate directly from Czech.

This ensured that the essence and subtleties of the original Czech texts were preserved.

With the publication of both books, my goal has been achieved.

Q: How do you think this anthology can help Azerbaijani readers connect with Czech culture?

A: I believe this anthology can help Azerbaijani readers better understand Czech culture and values. Literature plays an important role in bridging cultural gaps, and this collection offers a window into Czech traditions, history, and society. Just as Azerbaijani literature reflects the unique character of this country, Czech literature expresses our own cultural identity, and through it, we share many common themes such as human emotions, social dynamics, and universal experiences.

In both Czech and Azerbaijani cultures, literature and music are central to our identities.

We both have a long history of appreciating art, and we share a deep connection to storytelling.

I believe this anthology will allow Azerbaijani readers to see these connections and appreciate the shared values between our cultures.

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce Czech literature to the people of Azerbaijan.

It has been a pleasure to work on this project, and I am thrilled to see it reach Azerbaijani readers.

Azerbaijan’s successful diplomacy is gaining momentum day by day. Under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the country is achieving remarkable progress – not only in its economic development, but also in enhancing its geopolitical influence across Eurasia and beyond. From energy partnerships to regional connectivity and peace-building, Azerbaijan is steadily strengthening its role as a reliable and strategic partner on the international stage.

On October 1-2, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the 7th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The summit brought together nearly 50 European leaders to address shared challenges, including European security, energy resilience, migration, and hybrid threats. For Azerbaijan, this high-level gathering served as an important platform to reaffirm its strategic role in regional stability, energy cooperation, and intercontinental connectivity.

Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s visit was marked by several significant diplomatic engagements. His meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reflected a continued commitment to peace-building in the South Caucasus. Both sides reaffirmed the agreements reached at the Washington Peace Summit, emphasized the importance of regional transport links, and welcomed the formal closure of the OSCE Minsk Group structure, recognizing it as a step toward shaping new, modern mechanisms for regional cooperation. The leaders agreed to maintain dialogue and pursue confidence-building measures that support long-term peace.

During meetings with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Ilham Aliyev was congratulated on the progress made in advancing the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both European leaders expressed their appreciation for Azerbaijan’s constructive approach and reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting the peace process moving forward. They emphasized that achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus is not only vital for regional stability but also for broader European security. In this context, Costa and von der Leyen highlighted the importance of developing transport connectivity across the region, stressing that the EU views these infrastructure projects as critical for fostering economic integration and interregional cooperation.

The meeting also underlined Azerbaijan’s growing strategic role in European energy security. It was noted that, in accordance with the Strategic Energy Partnership Agreement signed between the EU and Azerbaijan in 2022, the volume of Azerbaijani gas exports to the European market has significantly increased. President Aliyev shared that Azerbaijani gas now reaches 10 European countries, including 8 EU member states, underscoring Azerbaijan’s emergence as a trusted and essential energy partner for Europe, particularly in the context of ongoing efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce dependency on single suppliers.

President Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations and emphasized that the achievements in the peace process are of historical importance not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia and the broader region. He noted that both countries have already adapted to the realities of peace and stressed that Azerbaijan remains fully committed to pursuing a forward-looking, stable, and lasting peace, driven by regional cooperation, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.

In a separate meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, both leaders emphasized the growing ties between Azerbaijan and Italy within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership. They discussed recent milestones, including the opening of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku, and the deepening of cooperation in energy, investments, education, and cultural exchange. These engagements reflect Azerbaijan’s broadening diplomatic scope, combining bilateral depth with multilateral outreach.

At the summit level, Azerbaijan’s support for the Middle Corridor – a key East-West transport and trade route – was also recognized. President Aliyev detailed the ongoing development of Azerbaijan’s logistics and transport infrastructure, which is helping facilitate increasing cargo transit from Central Asia to Europe. This underscores Azerbaijan’s position as a vital link between continents, particularly in a time of evolving global supply chains and geopolitical realignment.

Qarabag : A name of triumph in every arena

Interestingly, on the very day of President Aliyev’s meetings in Copenhagen, a football match was played between Qarabag FC – Azerbaijan’s leading football club – and FC Copenhagen, in Azerbaijan’s capital. Qarabag FC secured a decisive 2:0 victory, symbolically mirroring the success achieved in diplomacy.

The name Qarabag has, over the past five years, become a national emblem of resilience and achievement. Since 2020, it has stood for a new era of unity, development, and strength. Now, it echoes not only in political discussions and reconstruction projects, but also on international sports stages. From the halls of diplomacy to the arenas of UEFA, Qarabag represents victory.