Category: Azer News

SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf has met with Hussein Lutah, Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of ENOC Group, according to a statement released by SOCAR, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the parties reviewed current and prospective areas of cooperation between the two companies. Special emphasis was placed on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November this year between SOCAR and Dragon Oil, highlighting its importance in expanding bilateral ties.

The discussions also included an exchange of views on cooperation across various segments of the energy sector, including exploration, production, digitalization, trading, marketing, as well as other areas of mutual interest.

Humanitarian aid rarely exists in a political vacuum. When assistance is extended selectively, prolonged indefinitely, and accompanied by the quiet collection of personal data, it ceases to be a purely charitable act. Which brings us to our main topic: Moscow’s decision to extend its ‘humanitarian’ program for Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh is not simply about food parcels or solidarity. It is about preserving leverage, influence, and relevance in a region where Russia’s role has visibly eroded.

The project aimed at supporting Armenians who left Garabagh, implemented in Armenia by Rossotrudnichestvo in cooperation with the non-profit organisation Eurasia and the Russian Humanitarian Mission, has now been extended until at least 2026. Officially, the extension is explained by the ‘continued flow of applications.’ In practice, however, it reflects Russia’s determination to keep the Garabagh issue alive as a political and informational instrument, long after the conflict itself has been resolved.

Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Igor Chayka openly stated that the project was planned as a long-term initiative and that its purpose is to demonstrate ‘Russia’s solidarity with the Garabagh Armenians.’ This wording is revealing. Solidarity here is not framed in universal humanitarian terms, but through a specific political and identity-based lens, one that deliberately preserves a narrative of grievance and dependency.

More troubling are reports that Rossotrudnichestvo has been collecting personal data from Armenians who left Garabagh. According to sources close to the Armenian government, beneficiaries are asked to submit copies of passports, birth certificates, and other sensitive documents, ostensibly as part of the aid process. While data collection can be standard in humanitarian work, the scale, depth, and lack of transparency surrounding this effort raise legitimate concerns, especially given Russia’s long record of instrumentalising diaspora communities for political leverage.

This brings the discussion to the central question: what is Moscow really seeking to achieve?

One explanation is reputational repair. Russia’s standing in Armenian society has deteriorated sharply in recent years, particularly after failing to meet Yerevan’s expectations during critical moments. Food packages and aid programs may serve as a low-cost attempt to restore a sense of relevance and benevolence among a disillusioned population. Another explanation is electoral. With parliamentary elections scheduled in Armenia in June, humanitarian activity that targets a politically sensitive group could indirectly bolster pro-Kremlin forces that openly advocate a return to the old Yerevan-Moscow alignment.

The intense interest in the personal data of Armenians who left Garabagh is hardly accidental in this context. For decades, this community has functioned as a political asset for Moscow, a group that can be mobilised rhetorically, socially, and, when needed, politically. Today, some of the most vocal figures associated with this group openly declare that their ultimate objective is the removal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Against this backdrop, Russia’s sustained engagement looks less like charity and more like strategic positioning.

What is perhaps most striking is the restrained reaction from the Armenian authorities. This is the same government whose own attempt to send humanitarian aid to the Garabagh Armenians in the past was blocked by Azerbaijan because no such assistance had been requested. Today, despite technical expressions of concern, Yerevan has largely avoided confrontation on this issue. The reason appears pragmatic. Pashinyan has recently made it clear that removing the Garabagh issue from Armenia’s political agenda is essential for advancing the peace process. Openly challenging Moscow’s actions could complicate that goal.

For Russia, however, keeping the Garabagh topic alive is strategically convenient. It weakens Pashinyan’s position domestically, fuels dissatisfaction among segments of Armenian society, and helps mobilise the Armenian diaspora in Russia against the current political course in Yerevan. In the event of a power shift, this very issue could once again be activated as leverage.

Distributing food is, in itself, a commendable act. But in geopolitics, context matters more than packaging. When humanitarian assistance is prolonged indefinitely, accompanied by sensitive data collection, and aligned with political timelines, it ceases to be just about helping people. In this case, the real story is not about aid deliveries, but about how humanitarian language is being used to preserve influence, shape narratives, and prepare for political contingencies.

In the case of Russia, though, it is quite handy to have this issue of Garabagh lingering in the background. It shakes the position of Pashinyan, fuels dissatisfaction with some layers of Armenian society, and helps to energise the Armenian diaspora in Russia against the current political trajectory in Yerevan. In the case of a change of power, this issue might again come to the foreground as leverage.

In such a scenario, the story is actually about using the vocabulary of humanitarian assistance. The question, then, is not whether there is a distribution of food, but why it is being distributed in such a way, for such a long period, by whom.

In line with President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions, the ‘Great Return’ to Azerbaijan’s liberated territories is continuing.

According to Azernews, in this latest phase of resettlement, 17 families comprising 69 people have returned to the city of Lachin. A further six families (26 people) have been relocated to the Hadrut settlement of Khojavend district, 18 families (90 people) to the settlement of Qirmizi Bazar, and 16 families (45 people) to the village of Khidirli in Aghdam district.

Residents returning to their native lands expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support provided to them. They also extended their appreciation to the brave Azerbaijani Army, as well as to the heroic soldiers and officers who liberated the country’s territories, and paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this path.

It is worth noting that the families resettled in the city of Lachin, the Hadrut and Qirmizi Bazar settlements of Khojavend district, and the village of Khidirli in Aghdam district had previously been living in temporary accommodation across various parts of the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

The master classes on playing the piano and tar have been held in Mingachevir, organized by the Culture Ministry’s Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM) with the support of the Central-Aran Regional Department of Culture, Azernews reports.

The master classes were attended by teachers and students from music and art schools in the city of Mingachevir, as well as from the districts of Agdash, Goychay, Kurdamir, Ujar, Yevlakh, and Zardab, which are under the department’s jurisdiction.

The master class on tar, held at the Uzeyir Hajibayli Music School No. 1 in Mingachevir, was led by Arslan Novrasli, head of the Department of Instrumental Performance at the Faculty of Arts of the Garabagh University. The piano master class was conducted by Ulviya Kazimova, PhD in Art History, chair of the piano department’s subject commission at the Music College of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory.

Speaking at the event, Lala Karimova, head of the MEMIM Department and Honored Worker of Culture, noted that the goal of the project dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the great composer and musicologist Uzeyir Hajibayli was to improve the quality of education in music and art schools within the ministry’s system, enhance the theoretical and practical knowledge of students and teachers in their respective specialties. She noted that the master classes provide an opportunity for teachers to learn modern teaching methods and achieve more effective results in their professional activities.

During the master classes, experts listened to student performances, offered their recommendations, and answered questions from the audience.

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

organized by the Culture Ministry’s Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM),

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska is planning to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan in the first half of next year, Azernews reports.

A NATO official confirmed the information, noting that further details regarding the program and exact dates of the visit will be announced in due course.

The upcoming visit follows a series of high-level and constructive engagements between Azerbaijan and NATO in late 2025. These included meetings between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and Radmila Šekerinska on the sidelines of international summits, as well as the visit of a delegation of 15 ambassadors from NATO member states to Baku in November 2025.

The planned visit is expected to further contribute to dialogue and cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO within existing partnership frameworks.

The American technology company Meta plans to introduce a new age verification system called AgeKey in many countries in 2026, Azernews reports.

This was announced in an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times by Meta’s Head of Security, Antigone Davis.

‘Different countries around the world have different age-verification requirements that companies like ours must follow. There are many verification solutions currently available on the market, which is why we are trying to take a more comprehensive and universal approach,’ she said.

According to Davis, AgeKey will be based on the same technology used for passkeys, which allow smartphones to recognize fingerprints or facial features to unlock devices. Meta is currently working with the Singapore-based company K-ID to integrate AgeKey into its platforms. K-ID already collaborates with services such as Discord and Snap, helping them tailor content according to a user’s age.

At the same time, governments in many countries are tightening regulations on minors’ access to social media. On December 9, a law came into force in Australia banning people under the age of 16 from using social networks. According to the country’s internet regulator, social media platforms operating in Australia have been required since December 10 to deactivate accounts belonging to children and teenagers. Denmark plans to restrict access to social media for users under 15 starting in 2026. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has also expressed his intention to push for legislation banning social media access for children and adolescents under the age of 15-16.

Experts note that initiatives such as AgeKey could significantly change how online platforms handle age-sensitive content. If widely adopted, the system may reduce the need for users to share personal documents, potentially offering a more privacy-friendly way to protect minors while allowing adults to retain full access to digital services.

The Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF) has received international recognition with two of its social projects nominated for awards at the Judo Awards 2025, organized by the International Judo Federation (IJF), Azernews reports. The voting process will remain open until January 15, 2026.

The nominated initiatives reflect AJF’s commitment to promoting judo as a sport that fosters both personal growth and social values.

The first project, “First Step into Judo”, has been nominated in the category of Judo for Children Project of the Year. It introduces children to the fundamentals of judo, encouraging discipline, respect, and healthy living from an early age.

The second project, “World Judo Day – Peace”, has been nominated as the Judo for Peace Project of the Year. This initiative highlights the role of judo in promoting harmony and understanding, using the sport as a bridge for peace.

Voting rules stipulate that participants must register before casting their votes, and each person can vote only once per category. These nominations underscore Azerbaijan’s growing influence in the global judo community and demonstrate the federation’s dedication to both athletic excellence and social responsibility.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art worldwide. Since 2015, the Federation has been led by Rovnag Abdullayev.

The country’s modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 73 kg division.

The list of the country’s top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, Irina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelim Kotsoev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

Diplomacy World magazine regularly focuses on pressing issues in foreign and global policy. Its latest special issue is dedicated to the legacy of COP29, highlighting the outcomes and long-term impact of the conference.

As reported by Azernews, citing Azertac that the issue reflects the positions and activities of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for COP29, Yalchin Rafiyev, said the timing of the special issue’s publication carries both special and symbolic significance. ‘Azerbaijan has already handed over the COP presidency to Brazil, making this an appropriate moment to revisit and assess the contributions we made to the COP process and the legacy we left behind,’ he noted.

Rafiyev also emphasised that preparations for COP31 have already begun in brotherly Trkiye, adding that Azerbaijan stands ready to provide comprehensive support to Trkiye within the COP framework. He noted that the special issue also serves as an important opportunity, ahead of COP31, to remind countries of the commitments they have undertaken.

Addressing the presentation ceremony of Diplomacy World magazine’s 61/2025 special issue, Rafiyev said that once Azerbaijan was entrusted with hosting COP29, preparations began immediately and were accompanied by a number of challenges. ‘Despite these difficulties, within a short period we were able to form an almost entirely new climate diplomacy team,’ he stated.

He noted that preparing for a large-scale, complex international event with extremely high global expectations in less than a year posed serious challenges in terms of planning and the effective management of parallel processes. Nevertheless, the deputy foreign minister underlined that the successful high-level organisation of COP29 and the decisions adopted constitute an important legacy, strengthening international confidence in Azerbaijan.

According to Rafiyev, Azerbaijan acted as a chair that built bridges between countries and demonstrated an open, constructive approach to dialogue. ‘This approach has further reinforced our country’s reputation as a reliable partner in global processes and significantly enhanced its diplomatic standing,’ he added.

According to a new report from the Swedish Public Employment Service, the labor market has failed to return to its pre-crisis level over the past year. The unemployment rate is not expected to return to pre-crisis levels before the end of 2027, Azernews reports.

Analysts note that the labor market remains weak due to a prolonged economic slowdown caused by a combination of previously high inflation, rising interest rates, uncertainty in global trade policy, and subdued private consumption. These factors have negatively affected not only people with lower levels of education, but also professionals with secondary and higher education.

Despite a slight decline in unemployment during the autumn, the unemployment rate in 2025 remains higher than in the previous three years. On average, around 367,000 people are registered as unemployed in Sweden. According to forecasts, this number is expected to fall to approximately 345,000 in 2026, and by 2027 it may return to pre-crisis levels.

The first signs of improvement are mainly visible among young people, who tend to respond more quickly to economic recovery. However, significant challenges remain for young people without a completed upper secondary education, as well as for jobseekers with disabilities.

A survey conducted by the Employment Service among employers shows that more than half of the organizations that attempted to recruit staff in the past six months experienced difficulties in finding suitable candidates, despite the high unemployment rate. The most common reasons include a lack of relevant work experience and insufficient educational qualifications. As a result, many employers are beginning to relax experience requirements, creating more opportunities for entry-level workers, although the need for further training and reskilling remains urgent.

Experts emphasize that improving the situation will require a substantial expansion of participation in formal education and vocational training programs, particularly those targeting sectors with labor shortages. In addition, investments in digital skills and green industries are seen as a potential driver of job creation and long-term labor market resilience.

A special event marking World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day was held in London, organized by the British Azerbaijani Association.

As reported by Azernews, speaking at the event, Hafiz Bakhshaliev, Chairman of the Association, said that World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day is a powerful symbol of national unity and cohesion. He noted that the unity of Azerbaijanis living abroad, their mutual support, and commitment to national values play a vital role in strengthening Azerbaijan. Bakhshaliev noted that the main mission of diaspora organizations is to bring Azerbaijanis together, preserve national identity, and pass it on to future generations.

Also addressing the gathering, Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom, stated that Azerbaijan is today a rapidly strengthening country with growing influence both in the region and on the international stage. He highlighted that under the far-sighted and consistent leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved significant successes in political, economic, and cultural spheres. The ambassador added that the development and proper promotion of Azerbaijani culture abroad are crucial to enhancing the country’s international standing, and in this regard, the activities of diaspora organizations are of particular importance.

The event featured a concert program by Aisel (Aysel Mammadova), the talented Azerbaijani singer and Azerbaijan’s representative at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. Her performance, which combined traditional Azerbaijani music with contemporary pop songs, added a vibrant and festive atmosphere to the celebration.

Aisel’s high level of professionalism, dynamic stage presence, and live performances were met with great enthusiasm and applause from members of the Azerbaijani diaspora. Her repertoire reflected both the promotion of Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage and the presentation of modern Azerbaijani music on the international stage.