Venezuelan oil exports drop sharply after U.S. tanker seizure
Venezuela’s oil shipments have plunged following the United States’ seizure of a tanker earlier this week....
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.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Kyiv has escalated its naval campaign against Moscow’s economic lifelines, claiming a successful strike on a vessel suspected of skirting international sanctions within the Black Sea.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for a closed-door discussion on the sidelines of the International Forum for Peace and Trust in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Friday.
Kazakhstan has begun redirecting part of its crude exports, sending oil from Kashagan to China as the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) operates at reduced capacity.
Azerbaijan’s post-conflict reconstruction in Karabakh is attracting international attention. The book by British author Graeme Wilson documents this journey, combining first-hand reporting and digital storytelling to highlight both the region’s restoration and the human stories behind it.
Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, has welcomed the expansion of ties with neighbouring Azerbaijan, stating that Tehran and Baku are committed to building a ‘shared, secure and mutually respectful’ future, local media reported on Friday.
Tashkent is hosting the 2025 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Annual General Assemblies, one of the most significant events in global motorsport and mobility governance, bringing together officials and delegates from around the world.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment