EU blacklists 218 targets and agrees to watered-down 21st sanctions package against Russia
The European Union (EU) has agreed on a 21st package of sanctions against Russia, after shelving some proposed measures to appease member states, most...
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to a select group of Azerbaijani journalists in Washington on August 8, including our correspondent Oubai Shahbandar.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev says his visit to Washington has opened a “new page” in relations with the United States, highlighting the repeal of Section 907, the launch of a Strategic Partnership Charter, and progress in peace efforts with Armenia. Speaking to Azerbaijani media on August 8, he described his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as “friendly” and “result-oriented.”
“President Trump brings tangible results. So from this point of view, I highly value our personal relationship,” Aliyev said, praising the meeting as “friendly, cordial, and result-oriented.”
Aliyev called the waiver of the “unjust” Section 907 in his presence a move of “great symbolic significance” and said Trump chose to do it during their meeting. He announced the creation of a working group to draft a Charter on Strategic Partnership with the U.S., outlining areas such as mutual investments, energy, transport connectivity, transit, security, artificial intelligence, and defence industry cooperation.
“We do not want to waste time; the past four years under the previous administration, I consider them lost years,” Aliyev said, criticising the Biden administration for making bilateral ties “hostage to Azerbaijan-Armenia relations.” He called the launch of the strategic cooperation format “a historic event” and expressed confidence that “concrete results” would soon follow.
The President said the peace agreement with Armenia had been initialled and should be formally signed soon. He expressed confidence that Armenia’s planned constitutional changes would remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan, calling it essential for the peace process and respect toward the United States.
“What has been signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia clearly demonstrates our intentions – we want peace, but we want connectivity,” Aliyev said, adding that safe passage between the two parts of the country would benefit the wider region, including Armenia.
Aliyev also criticised what he called five years of “rumours and provocations” about Azerbaijan’s intentions toward Armenia, blaming the Biden administration for fostering “Azerbaijanphobia.”
Aliyev noted that Azerbaijani natural gas is supplied to 10 NATO members and 14 countries overall, describing Azerbaijan as one of the world’s leading suppliers.
He confirmed discussions with the U.S. Export-Import Bank on resource projects, infrastructure, and transport. He called August 8 “a historic day” for regional security, stability, and economic opportunity.
On the economy, Aliyev said the memorandum between Exxon and SOCAR could lead to a “substantial project” and that there was a “high probability” of a major oil discovery. He emphasised Azerbaijan’s belief in the project’s future and Exxon’s long-standing experience in the country.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan aims to strengthen its role as a transit hub, with corridors crossing its territory playing a greater role in cargo transport. “This brings money, jobs, and political leverage,” he noted.
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The United States has bombed Iran for an 11th consecutive night as the Pentagon says the war’s cost reach $37.5 billion. President Donald Trump threatens a heavy strike on the suspected Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Tehran warns that any attack could trigger a wider regional escalation.
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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have discussed regional developments, transport connectivity, energy cooperation and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process during talks in Berlin.
U.S. strikes on Iran entered a 12th consecutive night, with Iranian officials saying two people were killed in an attack on the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Kazakhstan is set to invest $22.2 million in the development of a new communications satellite, KazSat-3R, as the Central Asian nation prepares to replace its ageing KazSat-3 spacecraft before it reaches the end of its operational life in 2029.
Iran has urged European countries to take a more diplomatic approach to its conflict with the U.S. and Israel, saying Europe should uphold international law rather than support what Tehran describes as aggression.
Afghanistan recorded 483 suspected cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and 21 deaths in June 2026, a 174.4% increase from May, with the World Health Organization (WHO) linking the surge to livestock contact and animal slaughter during Eid al-Adha.
Türkiye's parliament has approved a two-year extension of the country's military deployment in Somalia, reinforcing deepening security ties between Ankara and Mogadishu as the Horn of Africa nation continues to battle terrorism, piracy and other security threats.
Georgia's fuel imports from Belarus surged by 3,469% in the first half of 2026 as Russia's export bans disrupted regional supplies, highlighting a rapid shift in the country's fuel market.
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