Category: Azer News

Trkiye’s leading defense company ASELSAN has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Excalibur International, a Czech defense firm that is part of the CSG Group, to establish a Europe-based joint venture and introduce the KORKUT Air Defense System integrated onto the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform.

According to a statement from CSG, the partnership aims to expand joint defense capabilities for both European and global markets.

The agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening defense cooperation not only in Central and Eastern Europe but also worldwide. The newly established joint venture will focus on technical collaboration in key areas such as air defense, electronic warfare, smart munitions and border security. As part of localization efforts, production is planned to be transferred to CSG facilities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

One of the first tangible outcomes of the partnership will be the integration of the KORKUT Air Defense System onto the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform. Designed for both European customers and the global market, the system is positioned as a fully capable alternative to comparable European-made air defense solutions.

Amid modern battlefield developments that underscore the growing importance of highly mobile and effective defenses against unmanned aerial vehicles, the KORKUT system-integrated onto the proven Tatra platform-is expected to quickly attract customer interest and secure a strong position in international markets.

Commenting on the agreement, Excalibur International CEO Milos Sivara said the KORKUT system offers a modern and highly effective air defense solution, particularly against hostile drones. ‘The system uses high-precision programmable ammunition, which in practice means that the cost of neutralizing a single UAV is comparable to the cost of the UAV itself. This level of cost-effectiveness cannot be achieved with traditional missile-based air defense systems,’ Sivara said.

ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol said the partnership with Excalibur International and the CSG Group strengthens ASELSAN’s industrial presence in Europe and globally, while enabling the company to deliver combat-proven air defense solutions tailored to the needs of European and allied armed forces. ‘The integration of the KORKUT system onto the Tatra platform combines advanced sensor and fire-control technologies with a highly mobile and reliable vehicle, creating a flexible solution for today’s dynamic battlefield environment,’ Akyol said.

The ongoing trial of Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan continues at the Baku Military Court, with verdicts being announced for the defendants.

Azernews reports, the court has sentenced David Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Manukyan to life imprisonment. Prosecutors representing the state had also requested life sentences for the accused.

The defendants are charged with committing a wide range of serious offenses, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism and financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and other crimes. The trial proceedings are ongoing as the court continues delivering verdicts.

At the invitation of the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan’s non-resident ambassador to the country, Elchin Huseynli, paid a visit to the capital Colombo on February 4 to attend events marking Sri Lanka’s national holiday-Independence Day, Azernews reports, citing the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in India.

The visit included participation in a military parade and an official reception held in Colombo.

During the visit, Ambassador Huseynli held meetings with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, as well as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra, Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, and other senior officials.

The meetings highlighted a strong mutual interest in expanding bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka in political, economic and trade relations, as well as in the fields of energy, tourism, air connectivity and education.

The importance of enhancing cooperation and exchanges in multilateral formats was also emphasized, particularly during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and in the context of the 13th Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to be held in Baku on May 17-22, 2026.

Sri Lankan officials expressed deep gratitude to the leadership and people of Azerbaijan for providing humanitarian assistance following the country’s recent natural disaster, as well as for offering opportunities for Sri Lankan citizens to participate in Azerbaijan’s state education grant programs.

On February 3, Leyla Aliyeva attended the “Human Fraternity Majlis” event at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi.

Azernews reports that first, a video address by Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance of the United Arab Emirates, was shown.

Then, Secretary-General of the Council of Muslim Elders Mohammed Abdulsalam and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva spoke. Cardinal George Koovakad read a letter addressed to the participants of the event by Pope Leo XIV. A video clip about the “Zayed Human Fraternity Award” was shown.

The panel session titled “Women’s leadership is the foundation of human fraternity” was attended by former President of Indonesia and member of the Zayed Prize jury Megawati Sukarnoputri, First Lady of Lebanon Nehmat Aoun, and First Lady of Colombia Veronica Alcocer Garcia.

Speaking at the panel session, Leyla Aliyeva stated that respect for different cultures, religions and traditions has always been an integral part of the lifestyle in Azerbaijan. She emphasized that children grow up in a friendly environment and with high family values, which shapes them as strong personalities in the future. Speaking about the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva stated that the Foundation has built or renovated many schools not only in Azerbaijan, but also in Pakistan, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stressing the importance of changing the education system with the development of new technologies, Leyla Aliyeva said that this process has already begun.

Leyla Aliyeva noted that both parents and teachers should value children more, treat them with respect and be able to listen to them.

Touching on the importance of protecting children from the negative effects of social media, Leyla Aliyeva stated that currently, Azerbaijan is studying ways to protect minors from harmful information based on international experience.

The First Lady of Pakistan, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, also spoke at the event.

The current state of cooperation and future priorities between Azerbaijan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been discussed, Azernews reports, citing the Finance Ministry.

A meeting took place on February 4 between Azerbaijan’s Minister of Finance, Sahil Babayev, and an IMF delegation led by Patrick Lochewski, Executive Director for Azerbaijan’s Constituency, and Anna Bordon, the IMF’s Mission Chief for Azerbaijan, who is currently visiting the country.

During the meeting, the sides reviewed the existing level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the IMF and explored prospects for its further development. Taking into account the institutional and structural reforms being implemented in the country, the importance of strengthening capacity-building and technical assistance mechanisms was emphasized. In this context, the discussions focused on key directions of fiscal and monetary policy, the preservation of macroeconomic and financial stability, and enhancing resilience to risks arising from global economic developments.

Minister Sahil Babayev highlighted the significance of the long-term, trust-based partnership between Azerbaijan and the IMF, noting that Article IV Consultations serve not only as a mechanism for regular dialogue but also as an important platform for macroeconomic assessment. He stressed that maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability remains one of the government’s top priorities, while fiscal policy continues to be shaped by the principles of sustainability and efficiency. Efficient use of state resources, strengthening medium-term budget planning, and increasing resilience to external shocks were identified as key pillars of the reform agenda.

IMF Mission Chief for Azerbaijan Anna Bordon noted that the fiscal and monetary policies implemented in the country play a crucial role in strengthening macroeconomic resilience and ensuring long-term development. She also underscored the importance of the IMF’s technical assistance and capacity-building instruments in supporting institutional reforms, enhancing the resilience of the financial sector, and ensuring the consistent implementation of economic policies.

Patrick Lochewski, Executive Director for Azerbaijan’s Constituency, stated that the measures taken by Azerbaijan to strengthen macroeconomic stability and deepen structural reforms are viewed positively by the IMF.

The meeting also addressed the issue of existing imbalances in the allocation of the IMF’s capacity-building and technical assistance resources for Azerbaijan. Minister Babayev noted that, given the scale of ongoing institutional and advanced reforms, a more balanced regional allocation of these resources would be appropriate. In addition, the limited representation of Azerbaijani professionals within the IMF was raised, with the sides emphasizing the importance of strengthening Azerbaijan’s ?????? representation within the Fund in line with the country’s growing economic potential.

The parties exchanged views on further deepening cooperation between Azerbaijan and the IMF, continuing institutional dialogue, and other issues of mutual interest.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, has arrived in Abu Dhabi to participate in the second round of negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict, Azernews reports citing international media.

The talks will include representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a neutral venue for high-level diplomacy in the region. Whitkoff’s plane reportedly landed at a UAE airport earlier this week, marking the start of his official engagement.

The upcoming negotiations are scheduled for February 4-5 in the UAE capital. These trilateral discussions are expected to focus on confidence-building measures, humanitarian assistance, and potential pathways toward a sustainable ceasefire. Observers note that the UAE has been increasingly involved as a diplomatic hub for conflict resolution, leveraging its neutral position and strong relations with multiple global powers.

This round of talks represents a continuation of international efforts to ease tensions in Eastern Europe, following months of stalled negotiations and ongoing hostilities.

Leyla Aliyeva visited Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi on February 3.

Azernews reports that Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world and is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first President of the United Arab Emirates.

Construction of the mosque began in 1996. About 50,000 people can worship here at the same time.

The Quran is recited continuously in this magnificent building.

Spain is planning to ban access to social media for minors under the age of 16, requiring platforms to introduce mandatory age-verification systems, Azernews reports.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who unveiled a package of measures aimed at creating a safer digital environment for young people.

The government has repeatedly expressed concern over the spread of hate speech, pornographic material, and disinformation on social media, arguing that such content has a harmful impact on children and teenagers.

‘Our children find themselves in a space they were never meant to navigate alone,’ Sánchez said while speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai. ‘We will no longer tolerate this situation.’

‘We are going to protect them from the digital Wild West,’ he added, urging other European countries to consider adopting similar measures.

In December, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media access for children under 16-a move that is now being closely watched by governments exploring comparable restrictions.

Sánchez also announced that a new bill will be presented next week. The legislation would hold social media executives personally accountable for illegal content and hate speech, while also criminalizing algorithm manipulation and the distribution of unlawful material.

Studies in Spain show that teenagers spend an average of over four hours a day on social media, with most accessing platforms before the age of 13. Experts say stricter age controls could significantly reshape how tech companies design their platforms-potentially accelerating the development of child-safe versions of social networks across Europe.

The official opening ceremony of the “Youth Capital 2026” project has taken place in Goranboy, marking the district’s designation as Azerbaijan’s Youth Capital for the coming year, Azernews reports.

The event took place at Secondary School No. 1 in Goranboy and began with a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, followed by the performance of the National Anthem.

Speaking at the ceremony, Maharram Guliyev, Head of the Goranboy District Executive Authority, described the title as both a great honor and a significant responsibility. He underlined that all necessary conditions would be created to unlock the potential of young people and noted that numerous projects and events planned throughout the year would justify the trust placed in the district.

Farid Gayibov, Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sports said that Goranboy will serve as the center of Azerbaijani youth life in 2026. He expressed confidence that the district’s young people would demonstrate high levels of activity and achieve strong results during the year.

Teymur Samadov, First Deputy Head of the Sumgayit City Executive Authority, recalled that Sumgayit, which held the Youth Capital title last year, carried out this role with great success. During the ceremony, Minister Farid Gayibov presented a certificate of appreciation to Teymur Samadov, while Maharram Guliyev was symbolically handed the Youth Capital key.

The event continued with an award ceremony honoring talented and creative young people for their achievements.

Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Mushfig Jafarov noted that youth policy in Azerbaijan remains one of the priority directions of the state’s strategic agenda.

Following the screening of a video dedicated to Azerbaijan Youth Day, the official logo and mascot of Youth Capital 2026 were unveiled to the public.

The logo of the “Youth Capital” features the letter “G,” symbolising both Goranboy and youth itself. At the top, a flame reflects the origin of the name Goranboy-gor (qor) meaning fire or land of fires, while conveying energy and dynamism.

The lower part incorporates a river and natural elements, representing the region’s rich natural heritage and its commitment to sustainable development. Together, these elements form a youthful image within the “G” itself.

The mascot for 2026 embodies the water element, chosen to reflect the importance of rivers and water resources in Goranboy’s natural, social, and cultural life.

Beyond symbolising life, purity, and sustainability, the water mascot represents the constantly renewing, dynamic energy of youth and their forward-looking drive toward the future.

The launch event marked the beginning of a year-long series of initiatives, projects, and activities aimed at empowering young people and strengthening their role in the social and cultural life of the country.

Recall that Goranboy was officially designated as Azerbaijan’s Youth Capital for 2026 by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The decision was made at the Ministry’s board (collegium) meeting on December 16, 2024, where several regional titles for 2026 and beyond were assigned.

At that meeting, Goranboy was chosen specifically for the Youth Capital status, while Gazakh was named the Sports Capital for 2026, and Ismayilli was selected as Youth Capital for 2027.

President Ilham Aliyev has recently signed a decree approving the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept, setting a long-term vision for the country’s cultural development, Azernews reports.

The concept outlines the general framework for the development of the country’s cultural sector up to 2040, defining priority directions for its activities.

For the first time, the new concept identifies six main areas of culture, some of which have now been officially recognized as separate cultural fields in state documents. One of these areas is the Azerbaijani language, whose purity and richness have been consistently emphasized by the President. Another focus is the development of Azerbaijani literature. In addition, the concept highlights the importance of the arts, behavioral culture, knowledge culture, and the development of creative industries.

This was highlighted by Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov in an interview with AZERTAG.

According to the concept, separate state programs will be developed for each of these areas.

“These programs will include concrete steps and projects,” said Jafarov.

He added that the concept also defines eight priority directions for cultural activities. These directions will facilitate the systematic implementation of the new cultural model, with three key tools playing a special role: the development of creative industries, cultural diplomacy, and management mechanisms.