Category: Azer News

In January 2026, Azerbaijan imported $141.833 million worth of goods from Turkiye, which was 10.8% less than in the same period last year, according to the Turkish Ministry of Trade, Azernews reports. In the reporting month, exports from Trkiye to Azerbaijan accounted for 0.8% of Trkiye’s total exports.

By comparison:

January 2024: Azerbaijan imported $170.48 million worth of goods from Trkiye, marking a decline of 6.8% compared with January 2023.

Data for earlier years indicate broader year-on-year movements in Azerbaijan’s trade with Trkiye, which remains one of its key partners:

2024 (annual): Azerbaijan’s imports from Trkiye were valued at about $2.31 billion, slightly above the $2.29 billion recorded in 2023.

2023 (annual): Total imports from Trkiye stood near $2.29 billion, reflecting relatively stable trade ties after global disruptions in previous years.

2022: Detailed official monthly breakdowns from this period are not publicly available, but broader foreign trade data show that Trkiye accounted for a significant share of Azerbaijan’s imports in 2022, with trade turnover between the two countries among the highest globally.

In January 2026, the value of Trkiye’s total exports decreased by 4.3% year-on-year to $17.606 billion. The largest importers of Turkish goods during the month were Germany ($1.587 billion), Great Britain ($1.135 billion), the USA ($1.027 billion), and Italy ($959 million).

Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tofig Musayev, has drawn attention to the deep and long-lasting social consequences of armed conflicts during a meeting organized by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN within the framework of the 64th session of the UN Commission on Social Development, Azernews reports.

In his remarks, Musayev stressed that ongoing conflicts worldwide continue to erode social cohesion and economic stability. He noted that wars lead to mass displacement, aggravate humanitarian crises, and create unprecedented challenges for social development, placing a heavy burden on already fragile economies and institutions.

The ambassador underlined that Azerbaijan has directly experienced these consequences as a result of war and occupation. Following the events of 2020, the Azerbaijani government launched a large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction program aimed at ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of former internally displaced persons. For this purpose, more than $13.5 billion was allocated between 2021 and 2025, and today around 70,000 people are already living in the liberated territories.

Musayev emphasized that reconstruction is being carried out using innovative and forward-looking approaches. Destroyed cities and villages are being rebuilt from the ground up, with the implementation of smart city and smart village concepts, as well as the designation of the region as a green energy zone.

At the same time, he pointed to the serious obstacles slowing the resettlement process, particularly the mine threat. According to the ambassador, although the government has provided social support to more than 130,000 people, progress remains hampered by the presence of around 1.5 million landmines and large quantities of unexploded ordnance left in the formerly occupied areas, posing a constant danger to civilian lives.

He also recalled that the fate of over 4,000 Azerbaijanis missing as a result of the conflict remains unknown, describing this issue as a continuing humanitarian tragedy.

Concluding his remarks, Musayev stated that the grave social consequences of conflicts require not only sustained national efforts but also strong international cooperation and solidarity, stressing that global action is essential to ensure that no one is left behind in post-conflict recovery and development.

Newly released documents from the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have revealed that his connections to the global scientific community were far more extensive and deeply embedded than previously understood, Azernews reports citing Nature magazine.

Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, cultivated close relationships with prominent researchers and invested millions of dollars in scientific initiatives. Although it was already known that some scientists continued to associate with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for sex crimes, the latest disclosure sheds new light on the scale and nature of those interactions.

The release, made public last Friday, includes more than three million files-emails, photographs, and financial records-marking the largest batch of Epstein-related materials disclosed by the US Department of Justice since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act late last year. The law mandates the release of all federal documents related to the financier.

While the documents do not suggest criminal wrongdoing by the scientists mentioned, they illustrate how deeply Epstein embedded himself in the scientific projects and institutions he supported.

Among the newly detailed interactions are communications involving theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, whose science outreach organization received $250,000 from Epstein. In a 2018 exchange, Epstein wrote to Krauss, ‘I thought we agreed no comment !!!!!,’ as Krauss responded to media inquiries about a sexual misconduct investigation that later led to his departure from Arizona State University.

Krauss told Nature that he sought advice from many acquaintances during that period and said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s ‘horrendous crimes’ at the time. ‘I was as shocked as the rest of the world when he was arrested,’ he said.

The files also show that Epstein maintained a list of nearly 30 prominent scientists, including Krauss, and reveal previously unknown links with several others. One of them is Lisa Randall, a theoretical physicist at Harvard University, who exchanged emails with Epstein that included jokes about his house arrest following the 2008 conviction. Randall also visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island in 2014.

Although she did not respond to Nature, Randall told the Harvard Crimson: ‘I am appalled by the full extent of allegations against him and deeply regret maintaining contact.’

Some documents reveal scientists approaching Epstein directly with funding proposals. In 2013, Nathan Wolfe, then a virologist at Stanford University, suggested that Epstein fund a study on undergraduate sexual behavior to test what he described as a ‘horny virus hypothesis.’

Wolfe later stated that Epstein never funded the project and said he regretted ‘not recognizing at the time how inappropriate [Epstein’s] framing was.’

One of Epstein’s closest academic relationships was with mathematical biologist Martin Nowak, formerly of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and later at Harvard University. In his 2011 book SuperCooperators, Nowak described being invited to Epstein’s island, where Epstein allegedly offered to build an institute for him.

That offer materialized as the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED) at Harvard, founded with a $6.5 million donation from Epstein. Epstein’s involvement went well beyond funding: he maintained a dedicated office in the PED building and visited several times a year to meet with academics. Following renewed scrutiny, Harvard shut down the program in 2021 and imposed sanctions on Nowak, which were lifted in 2023.

Emails in the newly released files also reference Corina Tarnita, a Romanian-born mathematician who was Nowak’s PhD student beginning in 2008. Documents show that she facilitated wire-transfer details in 2009 for two Romanian women who received payments from Epstein, sparking speculation due to similarities with alleged trafficking-related transfers.

Tarnita, now a mathematical biologist at Princeton University, said the payments were legitimate scholarships for young women in mathematics. In a statement to Nature, she said Epstein was ‘inspired’ by her career path to support early-career female mathematicians. Princeton University confirmed her account, citing corroborating emails from 2008, and emphasized that Tarnita has never faced criminal allegations related to Epstein.

Taken together, the documents deepen public understanding of how Epstein leveraged wealth, access, and prestige to embed himself within elite scientific circles-often long after his criminal history was known. While no evidence of scientific misconduct or criminal complicity has emerged from the latest disclosures, the files have reignited debate over ethical responsibility, due diligence, and institutional accountability in academic funding.

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon is ending “all professional military education, fellowships, and certificate programs” with Harvard University, Azernews reports.

Hegseth accused the university of being one of “red hot centers of America hate activism” and casting the country’s armed forces in a “negative light … all while charging enormous tuition.”

“This policy applies to service members enrolling in future courses of study at Harvard University while on active duty,” Hegseth explained in a video posted on X, adding that currently enrolled service members can continue their studies.

Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen captured gold in the men’s downhill at the Milan Cortina Games on Saturday, clocking 1 minute 51.61 seconds on the Stelvio course, Azernews reports.

Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni finished second, 0.20 seconds behind, while fellow Italian Dominik Paris took bronze, 0.50 seconds off the pace. Von Allmen’s teammates Marco Odermatt and Alexis Monney placed fifth and sixth.

The 24-year-old reigning world champion in men’s downhill now becomes the fifth Swiss racer to win Olympic gold, pairing his Cortina triumph with last season’s world title in Saalbach.

Despite the European Union’s accelerated energy transition, natural gas continues to play a stabilising role in the bloc’s energy mix. According to Eurostat, the EU’s inland demand for natural gas increased by 0.6% in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching 12.8 million terajoules. While modest at the aggregate level, this increase masks sharp divergences among member states.

Southern and Northern European countries recorded the strongest growth in consumption, with Greece (+31.3%), Finland (+9.5%) and Lithuania (+9.2%) leading the way. These increases largely reflect fuel-switching from coal, weather-related demand, and the need for flexible generation amid intermittent renewable output.

By contrast, significant declines were observed in Portugal, Malta and Croatia, highlighting the uneven pace of structural adjustment across the EU.

Germany, Italy and France remained the EU’s largest gas consumers in 2024, underscoring the continued importance of gas for industrial output, heating, and power generation in Europe’s core economies. This sustained demand in major markets reinforces the relevance of secure pipeline gas supplies, even as overall consumption gradually trends downward.

Looking ahead, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that OECD Europe’s natural gas demand will contract by 8-10% between 2024 and 2030. Crucially, this decline is not driven by supply insecurity, but by structural changes – particularly the rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity and improved energy efficiency.

The power sector is expected to account for the bulk of the decline, with gas-to-power demand projected to fall by around 25% by 2030, equivalent to roughly 30 billion cubic meters. Renewable electricity generation in Europe is forecast to increase by more than 40% over the same period, progressively displacing gas-fired generation.

At the same time, gas demand in industry and the broader energy sector is expected to remain relatively resilient. Lower LNG prices and the need for stable baseload energy could even lead to a slight uptick in consumption in these segments. This suggests that while Europe’s gas market is shrinking in volume terms, it is becoming more selective – prioritising reliability, flexibility and price competitiveness.

Europe as a premium market for Azerbaijani gas

Against this backdrop, Europe remains a strategically attractive market for Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly emphasised that Azerbaijan is the only country in the South Caucasus that not only possesses significant energy resources but also exports them regionally and beyond. Today, Azerbaijan supplies natural gas to 16 countries, 10 of which are EU member states, giving it the widest geographical coverage of pipeline gas exports globally.

From Baku’s perspective, the European market offers two key advantages. First, it provides long-term demand stability supported by institutional frameworks and intergovernmental agreements. Second, it remains a premium-priced market compared to alternative destinations, enhancing the commercial viability of Azerbaijan’s upstream investments.

For Europe, Azerbaijani gas strengthens diversification efforts by reducing dependence on a narrow group of suppliers and by offering pipeline-based deliveries that complement LNG imports. This balance is particularly valuable during periods of market volatility or infrastructure bottlenecks.

Energy cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan is anchored in the July 2022 Memorandum of Understanding signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President Ilham Aliyev. The agreement envisages doubling Azerbaijani gas supplies to Europe by 2027 and positions Azerbaijan as a key partner in the EU’s diversification strategy.

EU officials have consistently described Azerbaijan as a reliable and predictable supplier. Beyond gas, cooperation is expanding under initiatives such as EU4Energy and the Global Gateway, which aim to promote energy efficiency, cross-border connectivity, and investment in energy and digital infrastructure. These frameworks indicate that Brussels views energy ties with Azerbaijan not as a short-term crisis response, but as part of a broader, long-term partnership.

Azerbaijan currently exports gas to Europe via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the final segment of the Southern Gas Corridor. TAP’s existing capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year can be expanded to 20 billion cubic meters, providing a clear pathway for scaling up exports without building entirely new routes.

In 2025, Azerbaijan produced 51.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas, with the Shah Deniz field accounting for more than half of total output. Gas exports reached 25.2 billion cubic meters, of which 12.8 billion cubic meters were delivered to Europe. The start of additional long-term transmission capacity under a new Gas Transportation Agreement in 2026, along with new deliveries to Austria and Germany, further expanded Azerbaijan’s footprint in the European market.

While Europe’s overall gas consumption is set to decline over the coming decade, the importance of secure, competitively priced and politically reliable supplies is not diminishing. On the contrary, as the market contracts, supplier quality matters more than volume alone.

In this evolving landscape, Azerbaijan is well positioned as a medium-scale but strategically significant supplier that aligns with the EU’s diversification, security and transition objectives. EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation is therefore likely to remain not only relevant, but increasingly strategic – bridging Europe’s short- to medium-term energy needs while supporting a gradual shift toward a low-carbon future.

Attracting private investment is critical for the development of transport infrastructure and for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, according to an EU-funded meta-study cited by Azernews.

The study underlines that private-sector involvement goes beyond providing capital. Private participants also bring efficiency, innovation, and operational discipline, all of which can significantly enhance the quality, reliability, and competitiveness of transport services along the corridor.

Particular emphasis is placed on the role of European and other international companies, whose participation can introduce valuable market expertise, advanced technologies, and access to best practices in sustainable logistics, green solutions, and digitalization. These factors are seen as essential for modernizing the corridor and aligning it with global standards.

‘To realize this potential, governments and regional institutions should strengthen policy frameworks that promote public-private partnerships and reduce investment risks,’ the report states. Recommended measures include transparent procurement procedures, harmonization of regulatory standards, and the creation of clear mechanisms for cost recovery and revenue sharing.

According to the study, establishing a predictable and attractive investment environment would encourage more active participation by both local and international companies. This, in turn, would accelerate the implementation of critical infrastructure projects and support the creation of a modern, sustainable, and interoperable transport network across the region.

The Middle Corridor-also known as the Trans-Caspian route-connects Asia and Europe via China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye. As an alternative to the traditional Northern and Southern corridors, it offers a shorter land-based route linking eastern Asia, including China, with European markets while bypassing longer maritime routes.

The Washington agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia has significantly strengthened the position of the Central Corridor, according to a meta-study funded by the European Union (EU), Azernews reports.

The study notes that under the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region, the Black Sea and neighboring countries are viewed as a key gateway linking Europe with Trkiye, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond. This positioning enhances the region’s importance in ensuring diversified and resilient connectivity across Eurasia.

According to the report, for the European Union, developing transport links with Trkiye, the Eastern Partnership countries-including the South Caucasus-and Central Asia is essential for securing faster and more reliable supplies of raw materials and goods, while also opening new export markets through mutually beneficial trade.

‘In this context, against the backdrop of the declining reliability of the Northern Corridor and the slower development of the Southern route, the Trans-Caspian transport corridor is emerging as a more promising option for a sustainable, diversified, and geopolitically stable multimodal connection between Europe and Asia,’ the study states. It adds that rising cargo flows in the region, combined with the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement of August 8, further reinforce the Trans-Caspian corridor as the most viable route for reliable regional connectivity.

The report highlights that recent years have seen increased investment in infrastructure projects along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor. However, it also points to persistent challenges and ‘bottlenecks,’ both in physical infrastructure and in institutional and administrative frameworks. These range from short-term measures-such as improving border-crossing efficiency to ease congestion-to long-term investments, including the construction of new ports and transport facilities.

The study recalls that on August 8, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia signed a joint declaration in Washington, D.C., with the participation of the US President. The document envisages the commissioning of the Zangezur corridor, also referred to as the ‘Trump Route,’ as part of broader efforts to restore regional relations. In addition, the foreign ministers of both countries initialed the Agreement on Peace and Interstate Relations.

The Central Corridor-also known as the Trans-Caspian route-connects Asia and Europe via China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye. By bypassing traditional Northern and Southern routes and offering a shorter land-based alternative to lengthy sea routes, it is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of Eurasian transport and trade connectivity.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged governments to take coordinated steps against Israel’s actions, speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum on Saturday, Azernews reports.

Araghchi pressed for sanctions, including an arms embargo, restrictions on officials and suspension of military cooperation, while also demanding recognition of Palestinian rights and the creation of a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“The world is moving toward a condition where international law is no longer respected,” Araghchi warned.

Araghchi said that this means that “the Israeli regime permanently enjoys the upper hand.”

“Under this project, Israel is free to expand its military arsenal without limits, including weapons of mass destruction that remain outside any inspection regime. Yet, other countries are demanded to disarm,” Araghchi said during a speech at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha.

He cited the sanctions and punishments against Iran for its missile and nuclear projects as proof that Israel is being treated differently, saying that these were not policies based on security and non-proliferation, but on the objective of maintaining Israel’s military superiority.

“It is the enforcement of permanent inequality. Israel must have military intelligence and a strategic edge. And others must remain vulnerable,” he concluded.

Total gas production in Russia fell in 2025, reflecting a continued slowdown across both natural gas and associated petroleum gas output, according to data released by the country’s Federal State Statistics Service, Azernews reports.

Overall gas production, including natural gas and associated petroleum gas, declined by 3.3% year-on-year to 662.7 billion cubic meters. Natural gas output accounted for the bulk of production, decreasing by 3.1% to 561.1 billion cubic meters.

In December 2025 alone, natural gas production stood at 53.2 billion cubic meters, marking a 4% decline compared to November and a 4.2% decrease year-on-year.

Associated petroleum gas production also saw a contraction, falling by 4.2% to 101.6 billion cubic meters over the year. At the same time, gas flaring increased, with 25.1 billion cubic meters burned, representing a 6.8% rise compared to 2024.

The figures highlight persistent challenges in Russia’s gas sector, including reduced output and higher volumes of flared gas despite overall lower production.