Category: Azer News

Excitement is building in Baku as the 10th anniversary race of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches. A range of activities have been organized for fans from the first days of the race weekend. One of them is the traditional Pit Lane Walk, which gives fans an opportunity to get closer to the world of Formula 1.

Fans walked along the pit lane, passed in front of the teams’ garages and watched closely as the cars were prepared for the race. The garages of Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Mercedes and other teams were among the most popular stops for fans. Getting a close look at the cars, meeting the drivers and taking photos with them were among the highlights of the walk.

Meanwhile, life in the pit lane continued as usual. The sound of engines, the work of the mechanics and preparations inside the garages made it clear that only a few hours remained before the race. From just a few metres away, fans were able to follow these activities and see another side of Formula 1 beyond the track.

Fans left the Pit Lane Walk with memorable impressions after an atmosphere filled with excitement. Attention now turns to the main action at the Baku City Circuit.

Emine Erdogan, wife of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, said changing people’s everyday habits could become an important part of the global effort to address the climate crisis.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of New York Climate Week, she stressed that environmental problems are linked not only to industry and the use of fossil fuels, but also to the modern culture of excessive consumption.

‘The Zero Waste movement has freed people from the role of helpless observers in the face of the climate crisis and turned them into key participants in finding solutions,’ Emine Erdogan said.

According to her, even small changes in people’s behavior, when widely adopted, can develop into a social culture and, with the support of effective government policies, evolve into a sustainable system.

Emine Erdogan recalled that Turkiye’s Zero Waste program was launched in 2017. The initiative was initially implemented at the Presidential Complex before expanding to schools, hospitals, municipalities, public institutions and households.

She noted that Turkiye’s waste recycling rate had increased from 13% to more than 37% during that period.

However, according to Emine Erdogan, the main achievement was not only the increase in recycling rates, but also a change in people’s attitudes toward environmental issues.

‘People realized that they can be not only the objects of change, but also the agents of change,’ she said.

Emine Erdogan called for a reassessment of habits associated with excessive consumption and urged people to build a relationship with nature based on the principles of moderation and fairness.

She drew attention to the scale of the plastic waste problem, noting that around 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced worldwide since the 1950s, of which approximately 7 billion tons have already become waste.

According to her, the environmental consequences of high levels of consumption are distributed unevenly and often fall most heavily on vulnerable communities, regions and future generations.

‘We must rebuild our relationship with nature based on moderation and fairness,’ she stressed.

At the same time, Emine Erdogan said responsibility does not rest solely with individual citizens. Governments and companies must create infrastructure that makes environmentally responsible choices easier, produce goods that are more durable and suitable for repair and reuse, and develop technologies for circular production.

Turkiye’s first lady also highlighted the international promotion of the Zero Waste initiative. In 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the initiative, while March 30 was designated as International Zero Waste Day.

Emine Erdogan said Turkiye intends to promote the approach further at the upcoming COP31 climate summit, which the country will host in November.

‘No goal on its own will be sufficient; no technology on its own will be the solution,’ she said.

According to her, the outcome of climate meetings should be measured not only by the decisions adopted and speeches delivered, but also by the real changes that take place afterward.

Following her speech, Emine Erdogan participated in a workshop led by contemporary marbling artist Garip Ay, with whom she created a work using the traditional art technique. Representatives of the Turkish government, international environmental organizations, the media and numerous guests also attended the event.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to hold another in-person meeting with US President Donald Trump, but no specific date has yet been set.

Russian media, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, reported that he made the remarks while discussing the possibility of another high-level meeting between the two presidents.

According to Peskov, there are currently no specific details regarding a high-level meeting. At the same time, he stressed that Putin remains ready for another Russia-US summit.

‘Presidents Putin and Trump, during their telephone conversations, have indeed always emphasized that, if necessary, they are ready to hold another meeting in due course,’ the Kremlin spokesman said.

The last face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump took place on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. The talks focused on the Russia-Ukraine war and other issues, but no document was signed at the end of the meeting.

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar said at a press conference in Baku ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix that he and the team are aiming for a strong result. He added that they will do their best to remain competitive throughout the weekend.

Hadjar also spoke about his return to the cockpit after last racing in Budapest. He said the time since his previous appearance had felt very long and that he was happy to be back behind the wheel after a difficult period.

The driver added that his wrist is now in good enough condition for him to drive, which he described as the most important thing for him ahead of the weekend.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held at the Baku City Circuit from September 24 to 26 as the 15th round of the Formula 1 season.

The 6.003-kilometre street circuit features 20 corners and will host a 51-lap race covering 306.049 kilometres. Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Thursday, followed by Free Practice 3 and qualifying on Friday, while the Grand Prix will be held on Saturday at 15:00 local time.

The Baku circuit combines long, high-speed sections with the narrow streets of the Old City. At its tightest point around the Turn 8 and 9 complex, the track is just 7.6 metres wide. The circuit made its Formula 1 debut in 2016 as the European Grand Prix before returning the following year as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Armenian Foreign Minister and Minister for International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan has been appointed the government’s representative during parliamentary discussions on a bill to ratify the Framework Agreement on Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the United States under the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project.

According to Armenian media reports, the decision was made by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

Mirzoyan has also been appointed the government’s representative during discussions in parliament on a bill to ratify the Charter of the Peace Council.

On June 4, Mirzoyan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a Framework Agreement on strategic cooperation under the TRIPP project.

On August 8, 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, US President Donald Trump and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration following their meeting in Washington.

On the same day, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan initialed the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The two foreign ministers also signed a joint appeal to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office concerning the closure of the OSCE Minsk Process, the personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict dealt with by the Minsk Conference, and the High-Level Planning Group.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the 4th Baku Security Forum.

“Dear Forum participants,

I sincerely welcome you to the 4th Baku Security Forum, themed ‘New Challenges in Global Security Architecture and the Formation of Effective Cooperation Mechanisms Against Terrorism.’

The fourth edition of the Forum in Baku brings together heads and representatives of special services and security agencies from various countries, providing an important platform for exchanging views and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of international security. The year-by-year expansion of the Forum’s geographical reach, along with the growing relevance of the issues under discussion, is a testament to the increasing international significance of the Baku platform. I am confident that this year’s event will also make an important contribution to advancing security cooperation and facilitating the exchange of ideas and experience.

Today, the world is undergoing a period of rapid and complex change. Processes taking place within the system of international relations, intensifying geopolitical competition, and ongoing conflicts and confrontations in various regions are having a profound impact on the global security environment. The deepening crisis of trust and growing difficulties in achieving mutual understanding make strengthening national security architectures and maintaining international stability fundamental and urgent priorities for all countries.

Ensuring peace, stability and security in the world is a shared responsibility of all states. The scale and increasingly complex nature of modern challenges require stronger cooperation and the adoption of agile and coordinated approaches. This is because the concept of security is no longer confined within the borders of individual states. A crisis or flashpoint of tension emerging in one region can rapidly affect others, undermine political and economic stability, threaten energy and food security, and cause serious disruptions to transport and communication links. Taking advantage of this interconnectedness, terrorism and extremism, transnational organized crime, illicit arms and drug trafficking, cybercrime and other transborder threats are becoming increasingly complex.

Of particular concern is the use of modern technologies and new capabilities to expand the operational scope of terrorism. The malicious use of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, facilitates the spread of radical ideas, expands the financial resources of terrorist networks and facilitates the recruitment of new supporters, creating serious challenges to the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts. Under these conditions, the fight against terrorism must not be limited to the efforts of individual countries, but should remain a key area of international cooperation and joint action.

To ensure security effectively, it is vital not only to combat existing threats and address their consequences, but also to identify risks in advance and prevent them in a timely manner. To this end, strengthening mutual trust among states, developing professional ties between security agencies, and enhancing the effectiveness of information exchange are of paramount importance. Experience shows that partnerships based on open and reliable dialogue enable more agile and effective responses to even the most complex security challenges.

Azerbaijan considers ensuring international peace and security, strengthening mutual trust among states and expanding cooperation among its key priorities. Our country attaches great importance to promoting dialogue on security issues and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation through various international and regional platforms. The organization of the Baku Security Forum serves these objectives by creating conditions for identifying concrete avenues of cooperation and further strengthening mutual trust.

I am confident that the discussions to be held within the framework of this year’s Forum will contribute to a deeper understanding of contemporary global security challenges, the identification of new approaches to their prevention, and the further strengthening of cooperation between special services and security agencies. This, in turn, will contribute to consolidating international security and building a more stable and secure world for future generations.

I wish the 4th Baku Security Forum every success, and all its participants fruitful discussions and productive cooperation.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei compared the United States to Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler on Tuesday.

In a post on X, Baghaei rejected the claims that Tehran is to blame for the hike in fuel prices. “US officials blame Iran for rising fuel prices, as if the public’s memory is short enough to forget who actually initiated the war of aggression, and whose actions created the crisis that led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the disruption of commercial shipping,” he wrote, adding that “Hitler similarly framed his invasion of Poland as a defensive action.”

“When the instigator of an unlawful ‘war of choice’ blames the victim for the fallout, should this be viewed as ‘strategic brilliance’, or is it simply a textbook symptom of ‘The March of Folly’?!” Baghaei asked.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has suggested that the National Assembly could establish an investigative commission to examine what he described as a ‘crisis’ in the Armenian Apostolic Church, potentially leading to legislative changes affecting the Church’s governance.

Pashinyan made the remarks in an interview with Boon TV published on September 19, amid an ongoing dispute between his government and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The prime minister said that, at his instruction, the Public Relations and Information Center under the Prime Minister’s Office had prepared a report on the ‘crisis’ in the Church and possible ways of resolving it. Pashinyan said he had reviewed the final draft, although the report had not yet been made public at the time of his remarks.

He described the situation in the Church as ‘terrible,’ claiming that it had been ‘occupied’ by Catholicos Karekin II, whom he referred to by his secular name, Ktrich Nersisyan.

Pashinyan said he had discussed the issue with the governing Civil Contract party’s board and did not rule out the creation of an investigative commission in parliament after the report is published.

‘I do not rule out that, following the publication of the report, an investigative commission will also be created in the National Assembly, which will make proposals for legislative changes arising from the report,’ Pashinyan said.

He did not directly answer a question about alleged Russian influence over the Church leadership, but said the issue was addressed in the report.

The remarks come amid criminal proceedings against Karekin II and six senior clergymen. The Catholicos and the bishops are accused of obstructing the enforcement of a court ruling concerning the reinstatement of former Bishop Gevorg Saroyan. The clergy members have denied wrongdoing and their defense has argued that the matter falls within the Church’s internal spiritual and canonical affairs.

The case has also gone through several changes of jurisdiction and judges. Judge Hakob Manukyan initially recused himself, while Judge Serzh Rushanyan subsequently transferred the case to a Yerevan court over jurisdictional questions. The case was later returned to the Armavir court, where preliminary hearings were scheduled for September 18.

Pashinyan also alleged that the Church had committed at least one electoral violation, arguing that religious organizations are prohibited from engaging in political campaigning. He said there should be consequences for such violations but did not elaborate.

The issue of the Church’s political role has become particularly contentious following the June 2026 parliamentary elections. Ahead of the vote, Karekin II met with opposition figure and businessman Samvel Karapetyan.

Pashinyan has also challenged arguments that proposed changes to the Church’s governance would be unconstitutional. Armenia’s Constitution defines the country as a sovereign, democratic and social state governed by the rule of law, while also providing for the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church’s historical mission and stating that relations between the state and the Church may be regulated by law.

In the same interview, Pashinyan argued that this provision gives parliament room to legislate on aspects of Church-state relations.

‘The church is not the Catholicos; the church is the community of believers, which, moreover, according to the traditions of our church, participates in the governance of the church,’ Pashinyan said.

He said parliament could introduce legislation giving members of the Church ‘genuine opportunities’ to participate in its governance.

Among the possible mechanisms, Pashinyan mentioned establishing parish councils and allowing believers to participate in discussions concerning the nomination of Church leaders.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has meanwhile accused the government of interfering in its internal affairs. In a September 18 statement following a meeting of its Supreme Spiritual Council, the Church described the authorities’ actions as an ongoing policy of interference and said restrictions imposed through state mechanisms were unacceptable.

Trkiye has signed a grant agreement with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to assess the potential use of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies in the country.

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced it in a post on social media X.

The agreement was signed between Trkiye Nkleer Enerji A.S. (TÜNAS) and USTDA at Trkevi in New York.

Bayraktar said it will enable Trkiye to comprehensively evaluate the applicability of next-generation nuclear technologies from technical, economic and regulatory perspectives.

He added that Trkiye aims to diversify its energy mix as part of its goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2053 and strengthening energy independence.

According to the minister, alongside the development of large-scale nuclear power plants, Trkiye will continue assessing nuclear technologies that best suit the country’s energy needs as it works to build a modern and resilient energy infrastructure.

‘The Program on the development of the mining and metallurgical industry must be implemented in just four years-fully executed between 2027 and 2030,’ said President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting dedicated to the State Program on the development of the mining and metallurgical industry.

The head of state noted that the new program to be adopted also reflects the agenda regarding the socio-economic development of the regions.