Category: Azer News

Slovakia and Azerbaijan have signed a framework agreement valued at approximately pound 210 million for the supply of Slovak-made SAM-120 self-propelled mortars, AzerNEWS reports via the Slovak newspaper Pravda.

According to the publication, the agreement was signed on the sidelines of the World Defense Show international defense exhibition held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

The SAM-120 mortars are produced by ZTS Special, a state-owned company within Slovakia’s defense industry. The framework agreement envisages the procurement of around 300 mortars in total. At the initial stage, the parties have agreed on the delivery of 96 units.

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinák told Pravda that discussions are also underway on the possibility of issuing a production license to Azerbaijan. This could allow for partial or even full local production of the SAM-120 mortars within Azerbaijan.

The SAM-120 self-propelled mortar was first unveiled by ZTS Special in May 2024 and represents one of the company’s latest defense systems aimed at modern artillery and fire support needs.

The deal marks a significant step in expanding defense cooperation between Slovakia and Azerbaijan and highlights Baku’s continued interest in diversifying its military procurement and potential domestic production capabilities.

A delegation led by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, is on a working visit to the Republic of Bulgaria, AzerNEWS reports.

According to information provided by the Committee, Guliyev held a bilateral meeting on February 11 in Sofia with Bulgaria’s Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Ivanov.

The talks focused on expanding cooperation between the two countries in urban planning, spatial development, infrastructure construction, and architecture. The sides explored opportunities for joint initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable urban environments and modern infrastructure systems.

Highlighting the steady development of Azerbaijani-Bulgarian relations at the level of strategic partnership, Guliyev underscored the importance of further expanding the institution of sister cities and implementing joint projects. He noted that strengthened municipal and regional cooperation could serve as a practical pillar of broader bilateral ties.

Minister Ivanov, for his part, expressed Bulgaria’s interest in deepening relations with Azerbaijan, particularly in the fields of sustainable urban development and infrastructure implementation. He emphasized the value of joint initiatives in addressing contemporary urban challenges.

During the visit, Guliyev also met with Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georg Georgiev. The discussions covered prospects for advancing Azerbaijani-Bulgarian relations across various sectors, including regional cooperation and the expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties.

A key outcome of the visit was the signing of an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, and the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo on cooperation in the creation and reconstruction of the ‘Shusha’ Park in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.

The project is expected to contribute to the further deepening of cultural and diplomatic relations between the two countries. The agreement establishes the legal framework for cooperation and implementation of the ‘Shusha’ Park initiative, while also holding broader significance for the development of cultural and humanitarian ties.

During the bilateral meetings, Guliyev also briefed the Bulgarian side on the 13th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum, scheduled to take place in Baku in May this year. He provided information on the format, key features, and organizational aspects of the event and expressed hope for broad Bulgarian participation.

The people of Azerbaijan pay tribute to People’s Artist Bahram Mansurov, an outstanding tar player, mugham master, AzerNEWS reports.

Born on February 12, 1911, in the heart of Baku’s historic Icherisheher (Old City), Mansurov grew up in a household steeped in music, where the rich traditions of Azerbaijani melody and performance were a constant presence.

His grandfather, the musicologist Meshadi Malik Bay, organized music evenings where mugham masters, singers, and musicians from across the country would gather. Eminent figures such as Seyid Azim Shirvani, Khurshidbanu Natavan, and Abdurrahim Bey Hagverdiyev attended these gatherings, shaping the young Mansurov’s early exposure to the nation’s musical heritage.

Surrounded by traditional instruments, Bahram would spend hours experimenting, guided by the family’s rich musical tradition. His father, Meshadi Suleyman Bay, and uncle, Mirza Mansur, were both accomplished tar players, and his grandfather was among the first promoters of Azerbaijani national music. It was clear early on that mugham ran in his blood.

Bahram Mansurov’s formal education began at a madrasa and later at a Russian-Tatar school. By 1921, after Azerbaijan became Soviet, he enrolled in the 10th First Grade School with his older brother, Agha Malik, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in music.

Despite frequent school changes due to the family’s semi-urban lifestyle, Mansurov pursued his passion relentlessly. By 19, he was invited by the composer Muslum Magomayev to join the first notated folk instrument orchestra and later became a soloist-tar player at the Opera and Ballet Theater, performing alongside legendary vocalists such as Huseyngulu Sarabski, Yaver Kelenterli, Hajiaga Hajibababayev, Alovsat Sadigov, Haqiqet Rzayeva, Rubaba Muradova, Sara Gadimova and Zeynab Khanlarova.

From 1978 to 1983, his performances of Azerbaijani mugham were recorded and disseminated worldwide via UNESCO, cementing his role as a cultural ambassador of Azerbaijan.

Even as a child, Bahram displayed extraordinary talent. By the age of twelve or thirteen, he could perform complex mugham compositions such as Rast, Chahargah, Bayati-Shiraz, and Qatar as a soloist. In 1929, he joined the Azerbaijan State Eastern Orchestra, and later the State Philharmonic, performing alongside distinguished musicians including Jabbar Garyagdioglu, Khan Shushinski, Hajiaga Hajibababayev, and Gurban Pirimov.

He toured throughout Azerbaijan and across the Soviet Union, bringing traditional music to a wide audience. By 1931, at the age of 20, he joined the newly established first notated folk instrument orchestra under Magomayev’s guidance and later became the lead tar player at the Radio Committee, performing both as a soloist and as part of a trio with Gilman Salahov (kamancha) and Khalig Babayev (qaval), often broadcast live on the radio.

Bahram Mansurov’s career was closely intertwined with the Opera and Ballet Theater. Inspired by witnessing performances of “Leyli and Majnun” at the age of eleven, he joined the theater in 1932 under the direction of Muslum Magomayev, accompanying the legendary Huseyngulu Sarabski in the role of Majnun.

For 54 years, Mansurov’s tar accompanied the nation’s leading vocalists in mugham operas, his artistry meticulously guided by the composers themselves, including Uzeyir Hajibayli.

His influence extended beyond the concert hall. In 1934-35, he led a military ensemble at the Azerbaijan Military Division and prepared the group for the Transcaucasian Music Olympiad in Tbilisi, earning national recognition.

During the Great Patriotic War, Mansurov performed tirelessly for soldiers at the front and in hospitals, traveling across Azerbaijan and beyond to lift spirits with the power of music. His 1941-44 tours in Iran brought Azerbaijani opera and mugham to audiences who had previously known him only through radio broadcasts, solidifying his international reputation.

In 1941, Mansurov began teaching mugham at the Baku Music Technical School, developing his own pedagogical method grounded in the traditions of his father and uncle. He emphasized both technical mastery and the historical and cultural context of each mugham, ensuring that his students not only performed music but understood its roots and essence.

Mansurov’s contributions to recording and preserving Azerbaijani mugham were groundbreaking. He was the first Azerbaijani musician whose renditions of Chahargah and Rast were transcribed into musical notation. Through UNESCO, his performances of Bayati-Shiraz, Humayun, Shur, Bayati-Kurd, and Chahargah were recorded on vinyl and CD, introducing the world to Azerbaijan’s musical heritage. His son, Eldar Mansurov, transcribed the full repertoire of mugham, dastgahs, and other traditional forms that his father performed.

In 1971, the Opera and Ballet Theater celebrated Bahram Mansurov’s 60th birthday and 40 years of artistic work with a gala evening featuring performances of all the mugham operas he had accompanied. That same year, the documentary film “Chalir Bahram Mansurov” paid tribute to his extraordinary talent and enduring influence.

As a consultant for radio and television programs, as a jury member in competitions, and as a mentor to generations of musicians, Bahram Mansurov ensured that mugham remained alive and vibrant. His unique tar technique, known as mizrabi-destkari, involved playing with the left hand only, without a pick, a method previously employed only by masters such as Sadigjan, Meshadi Suleyman, and Mirza Mansur. Mansurov was the only performer of this technique in his generation.

Bahram Mansurov passed away on May 14, 1985, in Baku at the age of 74, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire musicians worldwide. His personal archive, meticulously preserved by his wife Munevver Khanum, remains a vital resource for musicologists, while his sons-Eldar, Aydin, and Elkhan- have carried forward the family’s musical tradition, ensuring that the Mansurov name continues to shine in Azerbaijani music.

Today, in celebrating the life of tar virtuoso and mugham master Bahram Mansurov, his music continues to resonate, bridging the past and present while guiding the next generation of artists.

Mrinank Sharma, the artificial intelligence safety lead at Anthropic, has resigned from the company, issuing a stark public warning that ‘the world is in peril’ amid a convergence of global risks, AzerNEWS reports.

In a letter published on Monday, Sharma said he had struggled to ensure that his actions were consistently guided by his core values, suggesting that he faced internal pressures to set aside what mattered most, though he did not provide specific details.

Sharma joined Anthropic in 2023 after completing a PhD at the University of Oxford. He led the company’s Safeguards Research Team, focusing on high-risk areas of AI safety, including preventing AI-assisted bioterrorism and examining how advanced chatbots can distort users’ perception of reality.

Miles Deutscher, a widely recognized prominent figure in the tech and startup ecosystem, stated that the resignation comes at an interesting period.

In his farewell note, Sharma warned that humanity is approaching a critical moment in which its growing technological power is outpacing its collective wisdom. Without a corresponding increase in responsibility and ethical restraint, he argued, the consequences could be severe.

He said he plans to return to the United Kingdom, withdraw from public life ‘to become invisible,’ and devote himself to writing poetry.

Sharma’s departure adds to mounting concerns within the tech industry and beyond about whether AI developers can truly prioritize safety, ethics and long-term human values in an environment increasingly driven by speed, competition and commercial pressure.

The United States has begun preparations to deploy a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs a potential military response against Iran, AzerNEWS reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that US defense officials have been instructed to prepare an additional carrier strike group for possible deployment to the region. If authorized, it would join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which is already operating in the Middle East.

According to the report, the order to deploy could be issued at short notice, although no final decision has yet been made and plans remain subject to change. One US official told the newspaper that the Pentagon is preparing a carrier for deployment within two weeks, likely from the US East Coast.

The aircraft carrier expected to be sent is the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), the newest vessel of the Nimitz class. The carrier is currently operating in the Atlantic Ocean, where it is completing a series of training exercises off the coast of Virginia. Officials indicated that these exercises could be accelerated if a deployment order is issued.

Military planners estimate that it would take approximately two weeks for the USS George H.W. Bush and its strike group to reach the US Central Command area of responsibility and become fully operational.

If a deployment order were issued today, it would still probably be mid-March before an East Coast-based CSG could arrive on station. Even with truncated pre-deployment workups, the ships would have to travel across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea or even further through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea.

Another CSG, with its embarked tactical aircraft and Aegis-equipped escorts, would certainly bolster the forces massing in the region for a potential conflict with Iran. As we have frequently pointed out, there is not enough tactical airpower there now for a major sustained operation. A second CSG would be provide a significant help.

While no decision has yet to be made about a second CSG, the journey of F-35A stealth fighters from the Vermont Air National Guard (VANG) has apparently continued toward the Middle East. There are indications that six of the jets, which online flight tracking data shows took off from Lakenheath Air Base in the U.K. on Wednesday morning, were headed to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan and Iran have reviewed the current state of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector during a meeting between Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Iran’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, Mojtaba Demirchilou, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Ministry.

The discussions focused on ongoing joint energy projects, their implementation status, and prospects for further development. The sides exchanged views on strengthening collaboration and accelerating the execution of agreed initiatives.

It was noted that the upcoming session of the Azerbaijan-Iran State Commission on Economic, Trade and Humanitarian Cooperation, scheduled to be held in Baku in the coming days, is expected to give additional momentum to the advancement of existing projects.

Growing trade and investment ties

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran continues to demonstrate steady growth. In 2024, bilateral trade reached $647 million, marking a 33% increase compared to 2023.

Of this total, Azerbaijan exported goods worth $14 million to Iran, while imports from Iran amounted to $633 million. Key imports from Iran include poultry, frozen fish, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, tea, confectionery, construction materials, and various industrial goods. Azerbaijan’s exports to Iran mainly consist of semi-finished steel products, natural gas, electricity, food industry waste, and other commodities.

Currently, more than 1,000 Iranian companies are registered in Azerbaijan. Iranian investments in Azerbaijan have exceeded $3.4 billion, reflecting expanding business engagement between the two neighboring countries.

To date, approximately 30 bilateral agreements have been signed, covering areas such as investment promotion and protection, energy, transport, customs cooperation, tourism, and other sectors.

The continued dialogue and expanding economic indicators underscore the strategic importance of Azerbaijan-Iran relations, particularly in the energy sector, which remains a central pillar of bilateral cooperation.

The Georgian government has submitted to parliament a bill that would ban the import of passenger cars older than six years, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced, AzerNEWS reports.

‘Of course, certain limited exceptions will be considered. However, we believe it is extremely important to stop importing cars older than six years into the country. This is important for the environment, public health, and ensuring comfortable mobility for our population,’ Kobakhidze said.

According to the prime minister, the initiative was proposed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as part of broader efforts to address rising traffic congestion and environmental concerns.

In recent years, the number of vehicles in Georgia has increased sharply. ‘In 2012, 864,000 cars were registered in the country. By 2025, this figure had exceeded 2 million. Such rapid growth has led to worsening traffic congestion and environmental conditions. We believe decisive measures are needed,’ Kobakhidze added.

Passenger car imports and re-exports play a central role in Georgia’s foreign trade structure. In 2025, the country imported passenger cars worth $3.87 billion – an 11.5% increase compared to 2024 – accounting for 20.9% of total imports. Meanwhile, re-exports of passenger cars rose by 16% to $2.8 billion, representing more than 38% of Georgia’s total exports.

The majority of imports come from the United States, Japan, and Germany, while the main re-export destinations in 2025 were Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

Georgia has become a key regional hub for the re-export of used vehicles, particularly to Central Asian markets. Analysts say the proposed restrictions could significantly reshape the country’s automotive trade flows, potentially encouraging the import of newer, more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles while reducing reliance on older second-hand cars.

Kazakhstan has officially confirmed that it is abandoning the Soviet-era super-presidential model of government and transitioning to a presidential republic with a stronger parliament, marking a major constitutional and political shift, AzerNEWS reports.

Under the new model, the powers of the parliament will be expanded, with the aim of strengthening the separation of powers and increasing political balance within the state. The reforms are intended to reduce the dominance of the executive branch, a hallmark of Kazakhstan’s governance since independence, and create a more balanced system of checks and accountability between the legislature and the presidency.

Speaking at an extended government meeting in the capital Astana, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared that Kazakhstan is transitioning into a presidential republic with an influential parliament.

“A panoramic look at the political reforms of recent years makes it clear that Kazakhstan is finally abandoning the super-presidential form of government, moving toward a presidential republic with an influential, authoritative parliament,” he said.

He explained that the proposed constitutional amendments continue the trajectory of political transformation set in motion in recent years, including the 2022 constitutional reform.

According to the president, the provisions of the new draft constitution affirm the coherence and logic of the political system’s evolution under the principle of “a strong president, an influential parliament, and an accountable government.”

Tokayev stated that, in essence, this constitutes the creation of a “new system of state governance.”

He added that the proposed changes would strengthen the system of checks and balances, redistribute powers, and most importantly, enhance the stability and effectiveness of “all political institutions.”

In the draft constitution, Tokayev concluded, the principle of “not the individual for the state, but the state for the individual” has taken a more concrete form, noting that this is what they have been “consistently moving toward since 2019.”

A roundtable discussion with the participation of Azerbaijani and Ukrainian business representatives was held at the Baku SME House, organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMEDA), AzerNEWS reports.

According to the agency, the event was conducted in a hybrid format within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Ukraine Business Council. Around 30 entrepreneurs representing sectors such as construction, industry, agriculture, logistics, trade, textiles, consulting and jewelry took part in the discussions.

Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Yuri Gusev, Deputy Ambassador Emir Rustamov and representatives of SMEDA highlighted the importance of such platforms in expanding bilateral business relations and strengthening direct contacts between entrepreneurs.

Co-chairman of the Azerbaijan-Ukraine Business Council Shahin Yusifov briefed participants on the Council’s activities and introduced an online platform designed to enhance interaction between business communities, facilitate direct dialogue and assess cooperation opportunities.

During the event, participating companies delivered presentations on their fields of activity, exchanged views on potential cooperation and partnership formats, and held bilateral B2B meetings aimed at exploring concrete business opportunities.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu issued a written statement regarding the high-speed rail line that will start from the Nurdagi district in Gaziantep and extend to Kahramanmaras. He stated that the Nurdag-Kahramanmaras High-Speed Rail Line will be connected to the planned 235-kilometer Malatya-Narli-Nurdagi High-Speed Rail Project.

Uraloglu said, ‘We are continuing project studies for the Nurdag-Kahramanmaras high-speed rail connection, which we have planned to be 49 kilometers in total length. After completing the project studies, we aim to include it in the investment program and initiate construction works. With this line, we will achieve a significant increase in capacity in both passenger and freight transportation.’

He also noted that the connection in question will be integrated with the ongoing Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep High-Speed Rail Line. ‘We will construct the line in a way that is suitable for both passenger and freight transportation. Designed as a double-track, electrified and signalled line suitable for an operating speed of 200 kilometers per hour, the project aims to deliver Kahramanmaras’s production potential to broader markets and elevate the city to a stronger position within Trkiye’s logistics network. Through the connection to the Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep High-Speed Rail Line via Nurdagi, we aim to integrate Kahramanmaras with Eastern Mediterranean ports and major trade corridors,’ he said.

Uraloglu emphasized that many products manufactured in Kahramanmaras Organized Industrial Zones – particularly textiles, yarn, food products, and construction materials – are planned to be transported by rail to both Mersin and Iskenderun ports. He added that this will reduce logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of regional industrialists.

The minister underlined that the line will directly impact regional production and export capacity. He stated that iron and chromium ore produced in the region will be transported by rail to Iskenderun Port and then shipped to international markets. Uraloglu added that Kahramanmaras will become one of the cargo collection, transfer, and distribution centers between Eastern Anatolia, the Mediterranean, and Southeastern Anatolia.

‘By strengthening railway infrastructure, we will empower the industrial, agricultural, and logistics sectors. We will implement a project that will make a strong contribution to employment and regional development in the long term. As rail transport expands, heavy vehicle traffic on highways will also decrease. In this way, the burden on urban and regional transportation will be eased, while Kahramanmaras’s strengthened logistics infrastructure will attract new industrial investments as well as warehouse and logistics facilities to the city,’ he concluded.