Category: Azer News

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has signed a law legalizing cryptocurrency mining and establishing the framework for crypto exchanges in the country. Under the new legislation, all miners are required to register with the Central Bank, Azernews reports.

According to the law on virtual assets, both individual entrepreneurs and legal entities are permitted to mine digital currencies. However, using third-party equipment without the owner’s consent is strictly prohibited.

The operation of crypto exchanges and virtual asset service providers will be allowed only with a license issued by the Central Bank. Licensed services include the exchange, purchase and sale, storage, transfer, and management of virtual assets, as well as their initial placement. Both Turkmen citizens and foreign nationals are allowed to establish crypto exchanges.

Cryptocurrency advertising must include clear warnings about risks, information that virtual assets are not state-backed, and notifications about the potential loss of funds. The law explicitly states that the state is not responsible for depreciation or loss of virtual assets, and that their value is non-refundable.

Interestingly, analysts see this move as Turkmenistan’s attempt to tap into the growing global crypto market while maintaining strict regulatory oversight. By creating a legal framework, the country hopes to attract foreign investment and develop a domestic digital finance ecosystem, potentially positioning Turkmenistan as a regional hub for cryptocurrency innovation.

The “Shabi-Hijran” performance, starring the legendary Alim Gasimov and Fargana Gasimova, drew immense attention and was warmly received by the audience at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, Azernews reports.

The main motifs of the performance were based on Fuzuli’s immortal work, the poem “Leyli and Majnun”.

Alongside Alim and Fargana Gasimov, the characters of this classical work were also portrayed by Javad Nur and Jala Novruzova, offering the audience a rich and multifaceted artistic experience.

The stage director of the performance was Honoured Art Worker Hafiz Guliyev, and the choreographer was Honoured Artist Bahruz Vaqifoglu. Under their leadership, the composition, blending the language of mugham and theatre, brought Fuzuli’s poetry to the modern stage in a perfect synthesis.

The performers were accompanied by the Garabagh Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Honoured Artist Nargiz Aliyeva. The music was enriched by Zaki Valiyev on the tar, Rauf Islamov on the kamancha, Rafael Asgarov on wind instruments, and Javidan Nabiyev on percussion instruments.

The performance, a great success, transformed Fuzuli’s poetry into an unforgettable, unique cultural event, thanks to the voices of Alim Gasimov and Fargana Gasimov.

Both visually and emotionally, the performance left a deep impact on the audience, becoming an unforgettable experience for lovers of mugham and poetry.

Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Lorenzo Fontana, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Italian Republic, as part of his official visit to Italy.

Azernews reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a statement on this. It was noted that during the meeting, issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, as well as the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, were discussed. The parties noted the important role of parliamentary diplomacy, along with high-level contacts, visits and dialogue, in the development of the existing multidimensional strategic partnership relations.

The importance of parliamentary diplomacy and mutual visits between parliamentary chairmen and representatives was noted as one of the main pillars of the strategic partnership.

It was noted that the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy in the political, economic, energy, trade, transport, communication and humanitarian spheres is commendable. The long-term cooperation in the energy sector, especially the important role played by Azerbaijan in the energy security of Europe, was particularly noted. In addition, it was emphasised that the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Italy University, which is of great importance in bilateral relations, has given additional impetus to the strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the other side in detail about the past Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, the results of the historic Washington meeting, and the large-scale restoration and construction work being carried out in the liberated territories.

Besides, views were also exchanged on other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Azerbaijan has reported that police officers notified the ‘112’ emergency hotline about the discovery of military ordnance in Kangarli and Ordubad districts at different times, Azernews reports.

According to MES, pyrotechnic specialists from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic were immediately dispatched to the sites following the reports.

After implementing necessary security measures in coordination with law enforcement officers, the ordnance was examined. Authorities confirmed the presence of one RGD-5 hand grenade, one UZRQ detonator, and one 85mm BR-365 artillery shell.

The explosives were safely removed and neutralised by the pyrotechnics team, ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.

Azerbaijan has celebrated Kelaghayi Day with a lively and colorful celebration at the Rashid Behbudov State Song Theater, Azernews reports.

The event, organized by the Mirvarid Dilbazi Poetry Assembly Public Union and the Kelaghayi House Museum with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, brought together art lovers, cultural figures, and community members to honor one of the nation’s most treasured cultural symbols.

The festival opened with the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan, followed by a solemn one-minute silence in memory of the country’s martyrs.

Gullu Eldar Tomarli, chairperson of the Poetry Assembly and director of the Kelaghayi House Museum, addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of promoting Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage. She shared details of numerous events, exhibitions, and festivals organized by the Assembly throughout the year, both within Azerbaijan and abroad. Tomarli noted that the inclusion of the kelaghayi in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List has significantly elevated the international recognition of this traditional art form.

The celebration featured a stunning exhibition showcasing ancient and modern kelaghayis, handcrafted works by Gullu Eldar Tomarli, paintings by Gulnara Mammadova, and traditional household items such as chests, clay dishes, jugs, and bowls, representing the nation’s enduring cultural values.

Visitors were treated to both traditional silk weaving and contemporary styles of kelaghayi art. A live demonstration of spinning wool, cotton, and silk fibers into thread using a “jere” captivated the audience, reviving the delicate, fading traditions of Azerbaijani folk art.

During the festival, Gullu Eldar Tomarli’s book “Kelaghayi Festival” and Brilyant Atesh’s “The Road from the Past” were presented and gifted to guests, adding a literary dimension to the cultural celebration.

Officials, including Heydar Mirzayev from the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and Panah Imanov, head of a department of the Khatai District Executive Authority, emphasized that the kelaghayi represents a vital part of Azerbaijan’s national and spiritual values.

Speakers at the event, including Murvet Asgarov, chairman of the Khatai District Council of Elders and father of martyr Major Rufat Asgarov, Matana Guliyeva, mother of martyr Rashad Guliyev, the sister of missing martyr Ismayil Ismayilov, poet Lale Ismayil, and veteran Taleh Aliyev, stressed the significance of promoting and presenting the kelaghayi. They pointed out that such projects play a critical role in preserving cultural traditions, passing them to future generations, and raising public awareness of Azerbaijan’s intangible heritage.

The festival continued with a vibrant artistic program, celebrating the beauty, history, and enduring legacy of the kelaghayi, leaving visitors inspired by this unique symbol of Azerbaijani identity.

Kelaghayi, traditionally produced in Azerbaijan since ancient times, is a square-shaped headscarf for women woven from silk threads.

On November 26, 2014, at the session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the art of Azerbaijani kelaghayi was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the title Kelaghayi Symbolism and Traditional Art.

High-quality kelaghayis were historically produced in cities such as Tabriz, Ganja, Shamakhi, Sheki, Nakhchivan, and in Basgal village in the Ismayilli district.

The borders (edges) of the kelaghayi, and sometimes the central panel, were decorated using basma printing with geometric and botanical motifs. Each weaving center produced kelaghayis with ornaments unique to their region.

Kelaghayis were widely used and varied in size and color. Older women preferred dark, large scarves, while younger women favored small, white or brightly colored kelaghayis.

The kelaghayi has long been an integral part of Azerbaijani customs, serving as a symbolic marker of blessing, misfortune, happiness, or grief. Examples of these traditions include covering a bride’s head with a white kelaghayi, tying white, onion-colored, orange, or cranberry kelaghayis to the front of a wedding carriage, hanging black kelaghayis outside homes during mourning, offering kelaghayis at mosques or shrines when wishes are fulfilled, and distributing them to the poor or disabled.

These silk products delighted locals, visitors, and tourists alike and were prominently displayed at exhibitions and fairs.

Kelaghayis have always added a unique mystery and charm to the graceful, spirited walk of Azerbaijani women. They capture the shy and timid glances, playful smiles, and the delicate beauty of the female face, which poets and folk singers have long celebrated in their works.

In kelaghayi production, a variety of color shades are used. Natural dyes are prepared from different plants, including sumac, barberry, bitter orange, wild apple, saffron, blackcurrant and others.

Iran’s political hardliners have entered a familiar cycle once again: whenever diplomacy between Baku and Tehran gains momentum, anti-Azerbaijan narratives suddenly intensify in Iran’s media and political circles, which is a definite thing that occurs every now and then. The louder the anti-Azerbaijan rhetoric becomes, the clearer it is that some forces in Tehran are struggling to accept the new geopolitical landscape. Instead of adapting to reality, these circles have chosen to revive old narratives and invent new crises at a time when regional cooperation is actually moving forward.

The visit of Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahid Jalalzadeh to Baku has once again highlighted the contrasting paths of official diplomacy and the increasingly hostile rhetoric adopted by certain political circles inside Iran. While Jalalzadeh’s meetings with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov focused on cooperation in political, economic, trade, transportation and energy security spheres, anti-Azerbaijani voices in Iran intensified their propaganda on the eve of the visit. This duality reflects a pattern that has become familiar in recent years, particularly after Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War.

According to the information released after the meeting, both sides reiterated the importance of Azerbaijani-Iranian cooperation and discussed a number of transport and communication projects that play a significant role in regional connectivity. The development of corridors passing through the South Caucasus remains an important factor for both countries, and the discussions in Baku were aimed at strengthening these shared interests.

Yet even as the diplomats were focusing on regional stability, anti-Azerbaijan circles in Iran were attempting to undermine the atmosphere of cooperation. One of the most active figures among these groups, Ahmad Kazemi, published another provocative article on his personal blog, alleging that Baku, Ankara and Yerevan had reached secret agreements directed against Iran. He also claimed that Azerbaijan intends to draw Tehran into geopolitical manipulation by reshaping negotiations with Armenia. According to Kazemi, even the population decline in the Zangazur region is supposedly linked to Azerbaijan’s long-term plans. These accusations are not supported by any evidence and are clearly aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear within Iran.

Similar narratives were echoed by Alireza Nesari from the Iranian parliament’s Construction Commission. In his interview with Khabarfori, Nesari described the recent Armenia-United States agreement as a political threat to Iran. He also referred to the incomplete 107-kilometre section of the Zangazur route in Iranian territory, insisting that Iran should speed up construction to force regional transport flow through its borders. His statements reveal the insecurity felt by a segment of Iran’s political establishment regarding regional transport projects that do not align solely with Tehran’s interests.

The information pressure campaign did not end there. Iran’s media space has been seized with hysteria following the military parade held in Baku on the anniversary of Victory Day on November 8. Several Iranian outlets claimed that the military equipment showcased during the parade posed a direct threat to Iran. Mashregh News even described all the weapons as Israeli-made, although many of them were produced in China and Russia. This attempt to link Azerbaijan’s defence capabilities exclusively with Israel is a recurring theme in Tehran’s information strategy.

At the heart of this rhetoric lie three fundamental anxieties in Tehran:

First, Iran’s political circles struggle with Azerbaijan’s assertive and independent foreign policy. Baku maintains balanced relations with major global centres of power, cooperates deeply with Trkiye, and engages constructively with Western institutions. For some in Iran’s establishment, this represents a threat to Tehran’s narrative of regional hierarchy and ideological influence.

Second, segments of Iran’s political sphere continue using ethnic and historical myths to justify interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs. By amplifying unfounded claims about demographic trends, cultural identity or ‘population manipulation,’ these circles attempt to shape perceptions among Iranian Azerbaijanis, particularly in regions where cultural affinity with Azerbaijan is historically strong.

Third, Iran remains uncomfortable with the new balance of power in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s restoration of territorial integrity altered decades-old dynamics, and its emergence as a central actor in regional security and connectivity challenges Iran’s long-standing assumption that it was the uncontested gateway between East and West. In reality, new routes like the Zangazur corridor would benefit Iran economically as well, providing an additional land link at a time when sanctions have severely limited its access to global markets.

Yet Iranian hardliners selectively ignore these practical advantages. Instead, they frame Azerbaijan’s partnerships as existential threats, while overlooking the fact that improved connectivity would reduce transportation costs for Iranian exporters and diversify access to Europe and Asia.

This contradiction highlights a broader problem: certain Iranian actors prefer a confrontational narrative not because of genuine threats, but because it preserves outdated geopolitical assumptions. Accepting the new realities of the South Caucasus would require admitting that regional influence is no longer unipolar, and that Azerbaijan is now shaping events rather than reacting to them.

Despite these realities, anti-Azerbaijan groups in Iran attempt to portray the corridor as a geopolitical threat. Their narrative ignores the economic benefits and focuses instead on preserving old geopolitical habits. Instead of adapting to a new environment that could bring prosperity to the region, these circles cling to outdated fears and promote misinformation.

The renewed wave of accusations in Iran’s political and media space must therefore be viewed as part of a broader attempt by anti-Azerbaijan groups to resist the new geopolitical realities of the South Caucasus. Their rhetoric does not reflect official Iranian diplomacy, nor does it align with the long-term interests of the Iranian people, who would benefit from improved transport routes and stronger economic ties.

Azerbaijan remains committed to regional cooperation, connectivity and stability. What is being presented as concern for regional security is, in truth, nothing more than an attempt to disrupt the new balance emerging after Azerbaijan’s victories. But propaganda has its limits. The facts on the ground, the diplomatic processes underway and the economic logic of regional cooperation all point in one direction. The louder anti-Azerbaijan circles in Iran shout, the more they reveal their discomfort with a reality they can no longer shape.

Anti-Azerbaijan rhetoric may buy headlines in Tehran, but it cannot stop the realities that are already transforming the South Caucasus.

Pope Leo XIV, the Head of the Vatican State and spiritual leader of the Catholic world, arrived in Trkiye on 27 November 2025.

Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran announced on his social media account that the Pope will pay an official visit to Trkiye between 27-30 November at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Duran stated that the talks will address Trkiye-Vatican relations as well as major regional and global developments, particularly the situation in Palestine.

The visit gains additional importance as it coincides with the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea-a milestone in Christian unity-and as the Pope’s programme includes several unprecedented events.

Pope Leo XIV’s visit officially begins today at 12:30 with a welcoming ceremony at Ankara Esenboga Airport. At 13:30, he will visit Anitkabir, followed by a meeting with President Erdogan at the Presidential Complex in Bestepe.

In his address to state officials, diplomatic representatives and civil society organizations, the Pope is expected to focus on Middle East peace, migration, and humanitarian crises.

Istanbul programme: meetings with clergy, interfaith messages

On 28 November, Pope Leo XIV will meet clergy members at Saint Esprit Church in Istanbul. He will then visit the Bomonti French Hospital Nursing Home.

At 15:30, the Pope will attend a prayer ceremony near the Iznik Underwater Basilica, considered one of the most symbolic moments of the visit due to the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.

Interfaith dialogue at Sultanahmet Mosque

On Saturday, 29 November, the Pope will visit the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque. Accompanied by the Istanbul Mufti, he will offer prayers near the mihrab, delivering a message of interfaith tolerance.

Throughout the day, he will also hold private meetings with representatives of the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Mor Ephrem Community, and other Catholic leaders. Later, at the St. George Patriarchate, he will meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

In the evening, Pope Leo XIV will address members of the Catholic community in Trkiye at Volkswagen Arena.

Departure for Beirut

On Sunday, 30 November, the Pope will visit several churches in Istanbul before attending a lunch with Patriarch Bartholomew. He will then depart for Beirut.

The declining water level of the Caspian Sea is making it necessary to reconsider current approaches to hydrocarbon transportation and transition toward more environmentally friendly solutions.

Azernews reports, this was stated by Dillon Morgan, Vice President for Eurasia at Chevron International Production Company, during the SPE Caspian Technical Conference 2025 held in Baku.

‘Pipelines remain the safest method for transporting oil and gas, and when we speak about sustainable and responsible energy delivery, they should be the preferred choice,’ Morgan said.

The Chevron vice president highlighted the importance of developing compatible and interconnected infrastructure among Caspian littoral states. According to him, such coordinated development would significantly reduce the number of vessels needed and minimize the requirement for extensive dredging operations to keep ports functional.

‘For such initiatives to move forward, it is essential to clearly explain why this approach benefits all countries in the region and aligns with the long-term interests of the Caspian Sea. The SPE can serve as a key platform for promoting these ideas, as the organization is not tied to the interests of individual companies but is focused on professional and responsible industry development,’ he added.

Baku hosts the 12th meeting of the Working Group on Media and Information of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Azernews reports.

The meeting will begin with opening remarks by Rasim Baghirov, Director of the International Relations and Documentation Department of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Deputy Secretary-General of the OTS, Ömer Kocaman, is also expected to deliver a speech.

Within the framework of the meeting, participants will discuss the implementation status of the OTS Action Plan for 2025 in the relevant field, along with holding several panel sessions.

A fascinating evening of art has taken place at Heydar Aliyev Palace, a celebration of dance dedicated to the 60th anniversary of People’s Artist Tarana Muradova, well-known dancer and choreographer, Vice-Rector for International Relations at the Baku Choreography Academy and an Associate Professor at the Department of Folk and Modern Dance, as well as President of the Azerbaijan Dance Union, Azernews reports.

The festive evening, organised with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Baku Choreography Academy, opened with warm and heartfelt messages addressed to the honoree.

For more than 45 years, Tarana Muradova has represented Azerbaijani dance art on the world’s greatest stages-La Scala, Aspendos, the Bolshoi Theater, the Kirov Theatre, and UNESCO. Her artistic legacy has long become a symbol of Azerbaijan, and her students have grown into bright stars of choreographic art. On behalf of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Baku Choreography Academy, and numerous distinguished guests-prominent dance figures from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, Georgia, Hungary, and Russia, congratulatory messages were read and international awards were presented. The evening was hosted by well-known TV presenter Saleh Baghirov.

The stage of the Heydar Aliyev Palace featured masterpieces of Azerbaijani dance culture and dances of the world performed by the country’s leading ensembles. The audience enjoyed performances by students of the Baku Choreography Academy, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble, the State Song and Dance Ensemble, and the ballet company of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Special guests-multiple world champions Eldar Jafarov and Anna Sazhina, Denis Tagintsev and Anna Melnikova sparked particular excitement. The hall erupted in applause after every performance. The program included works by Gara Garayev, Uzeyir Hajibayli, Fikrat Amirov, and Eldar Mansurov, along with contemporary and traditional music.

This day became truly exceptional: for the first time in 11 years, Tarana Muradova returned to the stage, and she did so at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, the very place where she once began her ascent in choreography. This stage is native, special, and symbolic for her.

The culminating moment of the evening was her original choreography, “Black and White” to the hit “Azerbaijan” by People’s Artist Emin Agalarov. It was an elegant and bold fusion of modern ballroom choreography with subtly woven elements of national dance. The audience witnessed a new Tarana Muradova-dynamic, daring, contemporary, yet faithful to her roots. Each of her movements sounded like a declaration of love to art, like a story of an entire creative life. The philosophy of the dance unfolded as a metaphor for life itself: morning and evening, light and darkness, triumphs and trials. The black-and-white concept was not merely an artistic device-it was the honoree’s confession, her candid story of the years lived, of struggle and inspiration, of the bright and dark paths of fate that merge into a single whole in dance.

A special place in the program was given to the composition “Uzundere”, an ancient Azerbaijani dance, once performed in a new arrangement by a chamber orchestra and an ensemble of folk instruments, which greatly impressed the national leader, Heydar Aliyev. At his initiative, in 1997, Tarana Muradova created her own choreographic interpretation, presenting a unique synthesis of classical and folk dance. This dance became one of the leader’s favourites. With “Uzundere,” Tarana Muradova represented Azerbaijan on the international stage. Its performance at the anniversary evening served as a tribute to history, tradition, and the memory of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev.

The audience rose to their feet to welcome Tarana Muradova, offering endless applause, flowers, and heartfelt smiles. The celebration carried on behind the scenes, where everyone wished to congratulate her and capture a photo with an artist who has devoted her life to national dance, its preservation, growth, and promotion on the world stage.

Once again, Tarana Muradova demonstrated that art has the power to captivate hearts and stages in any era, and that one can continue to dance at any age-so long as each movement is filled with love.