Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

A violation of the state border from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan was prevented in the service area of the ‘Horadiz’ border detachment of the State Border Service, Azernews reports.

As a result of joint border search and operational measures conducted by the State Border Service and the State Customs Committee, a total of 15 kilograms 200 grams of marijuana and 1,490 methadone M-40 pills containing narcotics were discovered and seized. The contraband was being smuggled across the border with the intent of illegal circulation inside Azerbaijan.

The State Border Service emphasized that such operations demonstrate the country’s determination to combat drug trafficking, which poses a threat to both national security and public health. It was also underlined that the Azerbaijani side continues to strengthen cooperation between border and customs authorities to ensure effective control over the state border, particularly in areas vulnerable to smuggling attempts.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, participated in the opening ceremony of the event titled ‘Accelerating Renewable Energy in Central Asia’ held during Kazakhstan Energy Week, organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). He also took part in the Ministerial Roundtable on the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Central Asia (APRECA), Azernews reports.

In his speech, Shahbazov noted that the APRECA initiative, first launched in Azerbaijan during COP29, promotes deeper cooperation between Central Asia and neighboring regions in the field of renewable energy and critical raw materials. He highlighted the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor as a key project contributing to this effort. Azerbaijan is aiming to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 40% by 2030 while strengthening regional partnerships and implementing strategic energy infrastructure. He emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev’s policy of integrating Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Caspian region into a single geopolitical space prioritizes renewable energy collaboration. The Trans-Caspian Green Energy Corridor, set to interconnect national electricity systems for the first time, fully supports this vision and opens new opportunities to develop the Middle Corridor as a green energy route linking Asia and Europe via the Caspian Sea.

Shahbazov also announced that with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), work on the project’s feasibility study will begin shortly. He provided updates on related initiatives, including the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe corridor, as well as the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe and Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye-Bulgaria green energy routes. These integrated corridors aim to direct the region’s renewable energy to Turkish and European markets, improve energy flow between continents, and enhance energy security. The interconnectors, equipped with fiber-optic components, will also support digital and transport connectivity, further raising the geostrategic importance of the Middle Corridor.

At the Ministerial Roundtable, participants discussed accelerating renewable energy development through modernizing power grids, building energy storage systems, securing investments and supply chains, and developing cross-border infrastructure. Azerbaijan’s projects and future plans were presented, and cooperation opportunities through the APRECA platform were explored.

The fraternal ties and strong bonds of friendship that unite Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, coupled with our regular and productive high-level dialogues, serve the common progress of our brotherly peoples, said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

“In particular, the complete elevation of our interstate relations to a new historic stage of alliance in recent years can be regarded as a brilliant practical expression of our firm political will and joint consistent efforts.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, I am confident that our strategic partnership, grounded in principles of mutual trust and respect, will continue to develop rapidly across all priority areas, including politics, economy, trade, transport, logistics, energy, industry, agriculture, tourism, and culture.

Undoubtedly, our upcoming series of important meetings this year-both in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan-will provide favorable opportunities not only to discuss the prospects of our bilateral relations but also for an in-depth exchange of views on the most pressing issues of regional partnership,” the letter reads.

On October 2, during the ongoing trial at the Baku Military Court concerning crimes committed by citizens of the Republic of Armenia, victim Ilham Mammadov gave testimony.

Azernews reports that Mammadov recounted that on May 10, 2002, while serving in the army and heading to his post in the Haram plain, he was captured by Armenian armed forces. He stated that he had been unarmed at the time. After being taken prisoner, Armenian soldiers beat and tortured him. One of the officers, he noted, displayed particular brutality. Mammadov later learned that the officer’s name was Levon.

Answering questions from state prosecutors, the victim pointed directly at the accused, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and identified him as the officer who had beaten him. He testified: ‘He hit me first with his fist, then with the butt of his rifle. He forced me to climb onto a trench and fired his weapon. At that moment, my back was turned toward the positions of the Azerbaijani Army. He made me stand in such a way that my own soldiers could have shot me by mistake. Later, they forced me to walk through mined areas.’

Mammadov said he was held for a week in Azerbaijani territories under Armenian occupation at the time, before being transferred to Armenia. He remained in captivity for six months and 15 days before being handed back to Azerbaijan.

Responding to questions from the defense, the victim stated that he had not known Mnatsakanyan prior to his capture and was unaware of his military rank at that time. ‘But from the way others treated him, I assume he was the chief of staff,’ he added.

In response to Mnatsakanyan’s own questions, Mammadov confirmed that he was born in 1973 and held the rank of first lieutenant at the time of his capture. He explained: ‘I graduated from the Azerbaijan Agricultural Institute, which had a military department, and was granted an officer’s rank upon completion.’

The trial continues against several citizens of Armenia accused of committing numerous crimes as a result of Armenia’s military aggression, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and waging of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism and its financing, the violent seizure and retention of power, and other grave offenses.

On October 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron in Copenhagen.

President Macron congratulated the Azerbaijani head of state on the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the progress achieved in advancing the peace agenda.

Expressing gratitude for the congratulations, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the historic significance of the results achieved in Washington, witnessed by the President of the United States, in promoting regional peace. The Azerbaijani President noted that joint efforts are currently underway in various areas to further advance the peace agenda.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of relations between Azerbaijan and France.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova, held a meeting with the Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Francina Armengol, within the framework of the 11th Summit of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the G20 countries in Cape Town, Azernews reports.

According to the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova recalled her first official visit to Spain in May and her earlier meeting with Francina Armengol, noting that mutual visits and exchanges provide valuable opportunities for strengthening bilateral ties. She stressed that the current meeting contributes to the further development of relations between the two countries and their parliaments.

Both sides highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation between legislative bodies and noted that contacts between parliamentary delegations could make a positive contribution to bilateral relations.

Gafarova also briefed her Spanish counterpart on the situation in the region, including the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as restoration and reconstruction activities in the liberated territories. In turn, Armengol congratulated on the initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and expressed Spain’s support for efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace and security in the South Caucasus.

The meeting further addressed issues of mutual interest.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has inaugurated another modern educational facility in the capital, this time in Baku’s Khazar district. The newly rebuilt school, Secondary School No. 324, was originally constructed in 2007 but had since fallen into disrepair and become unsuitable for use.

Due to overcrowding, the school had been operating in three shifts and lacked essential facilities such as workshops and laboratories. To address these shortcomings, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation launched large-scale reconstruction and renovation works in September 2024.

As part of the project, the number of classrooms was expanded and new specialized laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology were established, alongside rooms for computer science, military training, and technology. The building was also equipped with a library, cafeteria, gymnasium, sports grounds, and an auditorium.

In addition, landscaping and greening works were carried out on the school grounds. The modernized school is now ready to welcome teachers and students in the new academic year.

A ceremony was held to mark the installation of the first solar panel at the Bilasuvar Solar Power Plant, a major renewable energy project with a planned capacity of 445 megawatts, Azernews reports.

The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Head of Bilasuvar District Executive Authority Faiq Qurbanov, Director of the Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency (AREA) Javid Abdullayev, Deputy Chairman of ‘Azerenerji’ OJSC Rustam Gasimov, Chief Operating Officer of ‘Masdar’ Abdulaziz Alobaidli, and CEO of SOCAR Green Elmir Musayev. Each delivered opening remarks at the ceremony.

Following the speeches, VIP guests symbolically participated in the installation of the first panel and signed commemorative solar panels to mark the occasion.

Two specially designated commemorative panels were also showcased during the ceremony. These were signed by attending dignitaries and will remain on display as a symbolic representation of the project’s launch. Group photos were taken as part of the formal proceedings.

Officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Bilasuvar District Executive Authority were also present at the event.

The Bilasuvar Solar Power Plant spans a total area of 1,400 hectares. It will feature over 943,000 bifacial solar panels manufactured by China’s JA Solar, capable of generating electricity from both sides. The high-efficiency panels, each with a capacity of 625-630 watts, will be delivered and installed in stages.

The plant will be equipped with 8,131 single-axis tracking systems to optimize solar energy capture throughout the day. Once operational, panel cleaning will be performed automatically using specialized equipment.

The solar power plant is scheduled to be commissioned next year.

On October 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, on the sidelines of the 7th European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, Azernews reports.

The sides noted the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Italy within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership. In this regard, they highlighted the recent successful official visit of the Italian President to Azerbaijan, which included the inauguration of the first campus of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku.

The meeting also addressed the successful energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, underlining Azerbaijan’s contribution to Italy’s energy security. The sides hailed the expansion of cooperation in investments, culture, humanitarian affairs, and other areas.

The Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Somalia Business Council and the Somali Representative of Albayrak Group, Ahmet Sami Isler, along with the Director of Mogadishu Port, Umut Yurdakul, shared their assessments on the company’s activities and the strategic importance of the port.

Isler recalled that Albayrak Group entered Somalia following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s historic visit to the country in 2011. He emphasized that their initial goal was humanitarian.

‘At that time, Somalia was in a very difficult situation, facing a crisis due to drought. We said, let us not work only for short-term relief, but let’s create something permanent,’ Isler explained.

He noted that the group began restoration work at Mogadishu Port, the country’s main gateway. ‘We have been operating this port for about eleven years now. We have invested in every way possible. We believe we have made a strong contribution to the state. We are satisfied with Somalia, and hopefully Somalia is satisfied with us. We have become closely identified with the country,’ he said.

Isler also recalled that in 2012 the group rebuilt a collapsed hospital, transforming it into the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Training and Research Hospital, one of Africa’s largest and most advanced. The hospital was inaugurated in 2015 with the presence of President Erdogan.

He added that Albayrak Group was honored to construct Trkiye’s largest embassy complex abroad, the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, which began in 2014 and was completed in 2016. The company has also undertaken the construction of the Somali Presidential Complex. ‘We did everything possible to contribute to this project, building it for the President, the Somali state, and its people,’ Isler stressed.

Highlighting the importance of Mogadishu Port as the country’s trade lifeline, Isler stated that about 70 percent of Somalia’s imports now come from Trkiye, whereas in the past goods had been sourced largely from China and the United Arab Emirates. The trade volume between Trkiye and Somalia has reached half a billion dollars, he said, with the aim of further growth.

However, Isler pointed to difficulties with visas and residence permits. ‘If these problems are not resolved, we risk losing our commercial gains over time. Serious responsibilities fall on our leaders, political representatives, ministers, and embassies to address this,’ he noted, adding that Somalis also face similar challenges in Trkiye.

Acknowledging Somalia’s security issues, Isler remarked that opportunities come with risks: ‘Where there is risk, there is also potential. For those who know how to take risks, there are great opportunities here.’

Addressing global business leaders, Isler urged: ‘Everything comes from outside. There are no factories here, no investments, no tourism. To revive these sectors, entrepreneurs are needed. Somalis expect this from us. We tell Turkish businesspeople: ‘Come to Somalia, see it for yourself. If you are willing to take risks, opportunities await.”

Mogadishu Port Director Umut Yurdakul underlined that this is the capital’s only and largest entry port. With almost no domestic production, nearly all of Somalia’s needs pass through the port. He noted that Turkish products have declined somewhat in recent years due to shifting global logistics routes and wars, yet Trkiye remains Somalia’s largest supplier, alongside imports from India, China, and the Middle East.

He added that goods also reach Somalia through neighboring Kenya via transit trade. Construction of Mogadishu Port began in 1973 and continued in stages until 1983. However, it was closed from 1991, when civil war broke out, until 2006. ‘During that period, Somalis were cut off from both goods and developments around the world,’ Yurdakul explained.

Later, measures were taken to boost trade and improve living conditions. ‘The most important of these measures was this port. It was essential for humanitarian aid to reach Somalia and for trade to continue,’ Yurdakul stressed.

He recalled that Albayrak Group took over management and modernization of the port through a concession agreement signed at the end of 2014. ‘With our work, we have tried to bring the port to international standards. Today, we provide services at that level. Once this was proven, global companies embraced this port. In a sense, Somalia reopened to the world thanks to this port,’ he said.

Yurdakul also emphasized the country’s weak road and rail links, underscoring that Mogadishu Port remains the only point capable of sustaining the entire nation. Somalia’s 3,300 kilometers of coastline hosts scattered settlements, with small local ports serving some areas, but none match Mogadishu’s capacity. Even in Somaliland, the large port on the Gulf of Aden does not rival Mogadishu’s scale.

‘Products entering here are distributed all across the country. Our port also serves as a collection hub,’ Yurdakul explained. The port spans 350,000 square meters and is served by three of the world’s largest container lines.

He concluded by noting that all foodstuffs, as well as cement and steel used in Somalia’s reconstruction, pass through Mogadishu Port. ‘It is truly the country’s lifeline,’ Yurdakul said.