Armenia reports no recent fuel imports from Azerbaijan despite earlier SOCAR shipments

Armenia has reportedly received no new fuel supplies from Azerbaijan in recent months, despite earlier shipments of gasoline and diesel that marked a significant development in trade relations between the two countries.

According to Armenia Today, Shushan Sargsyan, a candidate for membership in Armenia’s Commission for the Protection of Competition and Consumer Interests, made the remarks during a parliamentary hearing in response to a question from Strong Armenia opposition MP Edgar Kazaryan.

Kazaryan claimed that the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) had entered the Armenian fuel market through intermediaries, supplying gasoline and diesel.

Sargsyan responded that she had no information confirming SOCAR’s direct participation in the Armenian market over the previous three months.

She identified Romania, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Georgia among the countries from which Armenia receives fuel shipments, but acknowledged that these figures reflect dispatching countries rather than necessarily identifying the products’ original source.

Consequently, the available import information does not establish whether Azerbaijani-origin fuel has entered Armenia indirectly through third countries.

The statements come after a series of Azerbaijani fuel deliveries to Armenia that began in December 2025, following Baku’s decision to lift restrictions on cargo transit to its western neighbour.

On October 21, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev announced during a joint press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that Azerbaijan had removed restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had existed since the occupation period. The first shipment under the arrangement involved Kazakh grain.

Subsequently, on December 18, SOCAR dispatched 1,220 tonnes of AI-95 gasoline to Armenia.

Fuel deliveries continued throughout the first half of 2026. On January 9, Azerbaijan sent 2,698 tonnes of petroleum products, including 1,742 tonnes of AI-95 gasoline and 956 tonnes of diesel. Another 979 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline followed on January 11.

Further shipments included 4,500 tonnes of diesel on February 25, approximately 1,984 tonnes on March 5 and 974 tonnes on April 21.

Deliveries continued in May and June, including 479 tonnes of diesel on May 9, 986 tonnes on May 10 and a shipment of 971 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline alongside 467 tonnes of diesel on June 26.

More recently, on September 3, Azerbaijan dispatched 989 tonnes of diesel fuel to Armenia in 17 tank cars.

Reports dated September 5 also referred to approximately 16,000 tonnes of diesel and 5,000 tonnes of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline supplied from Azerbaijan to Armenia. The available information does not clarify whether these figures represented cumulative deliveries or additional shipments.

President Ilham Aliyev watched FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival final and attended award ceremony [PHOTOS]

On October 30, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev watched the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival final at Baku Crystal Hall.

Spain defeated Czechia 3-0 in the final to secure the title at the inaugural edition of the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival.

The head of state attended the ceremony to present awards to the winners.

bp’s third-quarter profit jumps to $8.5 billion

Energy company bp’s adjusted profit for the third quarter of this year surged by approximately 300% year on year to $8.5 billion.

bp has released its financial results for the third quarter of the year.

The report said that higher oil and gas prices, driven by an energy supply crisis following the war in the Middle East, as well as wider profit margins, were the main factors behind the increase in bp’s earnings. The company’s adjusted profit for the third quarter reached $8.5 billion, compared with $2.2 billion in the same period last year, representing an increase of approximately 300%. This marks bp’s highest quarterly profit since 2022.

Between January and September, bp generated approximately $17.4 billion in profit, compared with $5.94 billion in the same period last year.

bp Chief Executive Officer Meg O’Neill said that energy markets continued to face a period of volatility and disruption.

“The sector as a whole is demonstrating extraordinary capacity to adapt to changing conditions. Refineries are operating close to their capacity limits to compensate for supply shortages, while maritime transport is using different and longer routes. Revenues from strategic and commercial inventories are also helping to bridge supply gaps,” she noted.

According to her, market conditions, supported by higher prices and wider margins, along with improved performance across the company, had enabled bp to deliver strong financial results.

“Our adjusted profit in the third quarter was $8.5 billion, while cash flow from operating activities reached $14.8 billion. These results helped reduce net debt by $8.4 billion. We have therefore achieved our targets for reducing net debt and structural costs. In addition, we have a clear path to making progress on the remaining two of our four key financial targets for 2027,” O’Neill added.

Azerbaijan and Georgia prime ministers hold one-on-one meeting in Sighnaghi [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze held a one-on-one meeting in the town of Sighnaghi, in Georgia’s Kakheti region, on October 30.

The two prime ministers discussed various aspects of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Georgia, current issues on the bilateral agenda, and prospects for further developing cooperation between the two countries.

Azerbaijan choosing trade over war in South Caucasus, Hajiyev tells Jeffrey Sachs [VIDEO]

Azerbaijan is seeking to transform the South Caucasus from a region of geopolitical confrontation into a platform for economic cooperation, regional connectivity and lasting peace, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, has said. You can watch the full video down below.

Hajiyev made the remarks during a conversation in Baku with American economist and professor Jeffrey Sachs, footage of which he shared on his official X account.

Azerbaijan has transformed South Caucasus from ‘The Battle Space’ of big powers to ‘A Marketplace’ or ‘Cooperation Space’of every party.

‘In Baku, Professor Jeffrey Sachs sit down with Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan. From a country that spent 34 of its 35 years of independence at war, to one now quietly building a green corridor from the Caspian Sea to Europe, Azerbaijan is rewriting its own story.

Hajiyev reflects on the peace with Armenia, the 800 gigawatts of wind potential sleeping beneath the Caspian, COP29, and a surname that carries within it both an Arabic pilgrimage and a Russian suffix, a dialogue of civilisation in a single word. Professor Sachs delivers the Pope’s encyclical on peace and AI. And somewhere between the caviar and the wind farms, a new picture of the world begins to take shape,’ the post stated.

In his interview, he stated. “We want to transform the region from a ‘battlefield for great powers’ into a ‘marketplace for great powers.’ We have shown our partners that trade is far better than war.”

He explained that Azerbaijan’s approach draws on its experience of attracting international investment into the energy sector, particularly through the 1994 Contract of the Century.

“A prime example is the 1994 ‘Contract of the Century’ for the development of Azerbaijan’s hydrocarbon resources, for which we invited companies from the United States, Europe, Trkiye, the Arab world, and even Iran,” he noted.

Green energy corridors and European cooperation

Hajiyev also highlighted Azerbaijan’s expanding energy partnership with the European Union, noting that cooperation is increasingly extending beyond traditional oil and gas supplies.

Referring to a recent visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he said discussions had focused not only on hydrocarbons but also on developing a green energy corridor connecting the Caspian region with Europe’s electricity network.

“Naturally, in previous visits, hydrocarbons and the European market were the dominant factors on our agenda-and they remain so today; that is an unavoidable reality. At the same time, however, a significant portion of our discussions focused on a ‘green corridor’ stretching from the shores of the Caspian Sea to Europe’s energy grid.”

According to Hajiyev, Azerbaijan expects a substantial increase in renewable electricity generation capacity in the coming years, creating additional opportunities for energy exports.

“Azerbaijan possesses immense potential: within just a few years, we will have an additional 2 GW of renewable energy capacity, followed by another 8 GW a couple of years later-all available for export.”

He linked these ambitions directly to the ongoing peace process with Armenia, arguing that energy connectivity could help demonstrate the economic advantages of regional cooperation.

“We are no longer constructing dividing lines or walls; instead, we are building peace and overcoming the fragmentation of our region. We aim to demonstrate the economic benefits of a peace-oriented vision-the ‘dividends of peace.’ I hope that green energy will become an integral part of this strategy.”

Azerbaijan chooses lasting peace with Armenia

Addressing the history of the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, Hajiyev stressed that Baku had chosen reconciliation and economic integration over continued confrontation.

He described the peace initiative as a significant political decision following decades of conflict and occupation.

“The President and the leadership of Azerbaijan have demonstrated immense political and diplomatic courage, and we have extended a hand of peace to our neighbor, Armenia. We faced two paths: perpetual war or perpetual peace. We chose the path of perpetual peace.”

Hajiyev emphasised that the objective was not simply to establish a formal diplomatic agreement, but to create practical conditions in which citizens and businesses could experience the benefits of peaceful relations.

“This is not merely a declarative peace on paper. We are building a functional, tangible peace-one that people can truly experience, allowing them to appreciate the value of a peaceful life after 35 years of independence, most of which were defined by war.”

He added that Azerbaijan intended to consolidate these gains through a regional security framework capable of withstanding future challenges.

“Now that we are living in peace, we are discovering its true worth; we will cherish it, strengthen it, and use it as a foundation to construct a unique security architecture, one capable of withstanding any negative challenges and ensuring a long-lasting impact for future generations.”

Zangilan schoolchildren take part in Victory Day cycling event [PHOTOS]

A cycling event for schoolchildren from Zangilan District has been organised through a joint initiative of the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil, Zangilan and Gubadli districts and the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation (ACF).

According to the ACF, the cycling event was dedicated to November 8 – Victory Day and brought together students from Zangilan City School, as well as schools in the villages of Aghali and Mammadbayli. Members of Azerbaijan’s national cycling teams across various age categories also took part.

At the conclusion of the event, the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation presented bicycles and protective helmets to the participating schoolchildren from Zangilan.

The event aimed to promote sports and healthy lifestyles in territories liberated from occupation, encourage schoolchildren’s interest in cycling, provide opportunities for meaningful leisure activities and involve more young people in sports.

Aydan Salahova’s Maiden Tower project goes on display in Baku [PHOTOS]

A solo exhibition entitled Maiden Tower by renowned Azerbaijani artist Aydan Salahova has opened at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art in Baku.

The exhibition is being presented as part of the cultural festival Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Feel the Future Now, jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art.

The Maiden Tower project offers a contemporary artistic reinterpretation of an iconic symbol that holds a special place in Azerbaijan’s cultural memory.

Shirin Malikova said the project explores the relationship between history, mythology, memory and modernity. It highlights how stories passed down through generations are not fixed or unchanging, but can acquire new perspectives and meanings over time.

“Sculpture and painting are the two principal forms of artistic expression in Aydan Salahova’s work. In the Maiden Tower project, the integration of these art forms with the exhibition space creates the conceptual unity of the exhibition. The setting and the artworks allow visitors to rediscover a familiar cultural symbol through a new emotional and visual perspective,” Malikova added.

The exhibition will remain open to visitors until January 30.

Azerbaijan’s $4 bln Georgia footprint expands its regional economic reach

Azerbaijan’s investment footprint in Georgia has become a clear expression of Baku’s regional economic strategy. The nearly $4 billion figure cited by Prime Minister Ali Asadov captures a relationship extending beyond individual company balance sheets. It reflects the conversion of geographical proximity into commercial access, infrastructure influence and strategic leverage.

More than 5,500 companies operating in Georgia have Azerbaijani investment, according to Ambassador Faig Guliyev. This network connects investors with consumers, suppliers, property markets, financial services and transport businesses. Its value lies in the reach of these relationships as much as in the headline investment total.

Annual data confirm Azerbaijan’s position among Georgia’s leading partners. Revised figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Office put total foreign direct investment at $1.90 billion in 2025. The United Kingdom ranked first with $426.6 million, or 22.4 percent; Azerbaijan placed second with $214.4 million, or 11.3 percent. Trkiye followed with $202.4 million, or 10.6 percent. Azerbaijan’s investment was roughly half the British figure and slightly higher than Trkiye’s, placing it among Georgia’s three principal sources of foreign capital.

The comparison reveals a competitive investment market. Malta contributed $148.3 million, Israel $145.1 million, the Netherlands $136.8 million, the United States $131.3 million and Russia $109.5 million. Azerbaijan’s second-place ranking gives its presence particular regional significance.

The distinction between annual flows and accumulated investment is essential. The $214.4 million recorded in 2025 measures investment during one year; the $3.6 billion figure represents the broader volume cited by the ambassador. Geostat’s preliminary data recorded $45.3 million in Azerbaijani direct investment during the first half of 2026. These indicators cover different timeframes and statistical concepts, yet together demonstrate the depth and continuation of Azerbaijani business engagement.

Trade adds another layer. Ambassador Guliyev put annual bilateral turnover at approximately $1.4 billion and identified $2 billion as the next target. Separately, Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee recorded $887.9 million in trade with Georgia during January-September 2026, up 42.3 percent year on year. The customs figure covers nine months and reflects Azerbaijan’s reporting methodology, while the $1.4 billion statement refers to annual turnover. They are complementary indicators.

The strategic logic becomes clearer when investment is viewed alongside infrastructure. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and South Caucasus gas pipeline place Georgia at the centre of Azerbaijan’s westbound energy architecture. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and Middle Corridor extend connectivity to freight transport, linking the Caspian and Central Asia to Trkiye, the Black Sea, and European markets. Georgia is therefore both an investment destination and an essential economic corridor for Azerbaijan.

This geography creates mutual leverage. Azerbaijan supplies energy, capital and access to Caspian trade routes; Georgia provides transit infrastructure and connections towards Black Sea ports and Trkiye. The value of each side’s assets rises with the reliability and capacity of the wider network. Pipelines, railways and logistics terminals generate greater returns when customs systems, port operations and investment rules work in coordination.

Changing investor rankings reinforce the need for a long-term approach. China led Georgia’s second-quarter 2026 FDI with $219.5 million, accounting for 46.8 percent of the quarter’s $468.8 million total. The United Kingdom followed with $123.5 million, while the United Arab Emirates invested $47.7 million. Quarterly shifts show how large transactions can reshape rankings quickly. Azerbaijan’s advantages are its established business network, geographical proximity and decades of energy and transport cooperation.

The next phase should focus on capital productivity. Renewable electricity, transmission links, logistics, warehousing, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and digital services offer opportunities to diversify the relationship. The $2 billion trade target provides a measurable ambition, while the 5,500-company network offers a platform for supplier partnerships and cross-border production.

That makes investment quality, sectoral diversification and measurable economic returns central tests of the partnership’s next stage.

Ultimately, the strategic measure of Azerbaijan’s investment in Georgia will be the value generated by its assets, returns earned by its companies and the resilience of corridors connecting the Caspian to global markets. Nearly $4 billion in reported investment, a second-place FDI ranking in 2025, and more than 5,500 Azerbaijani-invested companies give Baku a substantial foundation. Turning it into higher productivity and deeper regional integration is the real test of economic influence.

Parliament, GJA To Promote Journalists’ Welfare

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has assured the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) of Parliament’s readiness to partner the Association in drafting a Private Member’s Bill aimed at improving the working conditions of journalists.

Mr. Bagbin gave the assurance at Parliament House when the National Executive of the GJA paid a courtesy call on him to formally invite him as Special Guest of Honour to the 30th GJA Media Awards scheduled for November 7, 2026.

The Speaker acknowledged the critical role of the media in sustaining Ghana’s democracy and development, noting that Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, effectively utilised the media during the struggle for independence.

He underscored the immense influence of the media in governance and society, stressing that it must play a critical role in sustaining democratic tenets, adding that power is a ‘monster’ that must be properly managed to serve the interests of the people.

He commended journalists for their sacrifices, often working under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions to keep citizens informed.

‘The media remains a key pillar of democracy. Journalists risk their lives in pursuit of truth and must continue to educate Ghanaians on national issues,’ he said.

Mr. Bagbin stressed that journalism was indispensable to society, with the power to shape public opinion and influence the fortunes of political leaders.

‘Without journalism, society cannot survive. The media can make or unmake politicians, and that is why the profession must always be guided by responsibility, ethics and national interest,’ he stated.

Touching on democratic governance, the Speaker disclosed that Parliament is establishing democracy clubs in schools across the country to deepen young people’s understanding of democratic principles and civic responsibility.

He called on journalists and media institutions to work towards improving Ghana’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index, urging the country to strive to move from its current position among Africa’s leading nations to the top spot on the continent.

GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended Mr. Bagbin for his consistent advocacy for improved economic conditions for journalists and media practitioners.

He disclosed that the Speaker would be among a select group of distinguished statesmen to be honoured at the 30th GJA Media Awards in recognition of his contributions to democratic governance and media freedom.

As part of the engagement, Mr. Bagbin presented 30 copies of Parliament’s Code of Conduct and Ethics for Members of Parliament to the GJA to support the media in promoting accountability among legislators.

He also donated copies of a book authored by veteran journalist Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo to the Association.

The 30th GJA Media Awards will be held on the theme: ‘Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.’

Gold Fields Invests $4.26bn In Local Procurement

Gold Fields Ghana Limited has invested $4.26 billion in local procurement, including $2.59 billion spent with businesses in its host communities over the past five years.

According to the gold mining company, the $4.26 billion forms about 93 per cent of its procurement spending.

Gold Fields has also engaged and supported nearly 100 suppliers within its host communities to ensure that the economic value generated by the company’s operations is retained locally.

This came to light at the official opening of the 3rd Gold Fields Ghana Suppliers Conference held in Tarkwa in the Western Region.

The two-day conference brought together over 300 local and international suppliers. The participants discussed among others new opportunities and how to promote sustainable economic development beyond the mining sector.

The conference was held under the theme: ‘Partnership for Enduring Value: Building a Resilient Supply Chain Beyond Mining.’

Mining Manager of Gold Fields, Kwame Appau, disclosed that from January to June this year, the company’s in-country procurement reached GHS4.7 billion, with GHS4.2 billion directed specifically towards 124 host community suppliers.

Mr. Appau was speaking on behalf of Elliot Twum, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Gold Fields Ghana Limited.

He said, ‘Our impact goes beyond just procurement figures. So far this year, we have directed over GHS53 million towards socio-economic development through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation.’

He revealed that the investment went into the construction of an alternative road from New Atuabo to Bogoso Junction Highway, which will be handed over next month.

‘This multi-million cedi project was carried out by Woodbine Limited, a local contractor from the New Atuabo community.

‘We are here today because we recognise that the true measure of partnership is sustainable value.

‘By strengthening the relationships we share, we are creating enduring value beyond mining,’ he pointed out.

The Supply Chain Manager of Gold Fields, Joshua Donkor, noted that the company wants to support local suppliers.

‘We are proud that a partner like Zen Petroleum, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, is now listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange,’ he stated.

Deputy CEO of Minerals Commission in charge of Support Services, Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, revealed that there is a bill before Parliament that will give local content real weight.

‘It will establish District Mining Committees as the first point of licensing and create a medium-scale category for Ghanaian entrepreneurs,’ he added.