live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Investment from Italy in Azerbaijan has reached $805m, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said as he met his counterparts in Baku.
“So far, investments from Azerbaijan to Italy amount to $342 million, while Italian investments in Azerbaijan total $805 million,” Shahbazov said while speaking at the sixth intergovernmental commission meeting.
The milestone highlights the deepening economic relationship between the two countries and Italy’s position as one of Azerbaijan’s most significant European partners.
The bulk of Italian investment has been concentrated in Azerbaijan’s energy sector. Italy is already Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner, primarily due to imports of Azerbaijani crude oil.
Italian energy companies have played a major role in the development of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry, particularly in offshore projects in the Caspian Sea.
Their involvement has supported production, infrastructure development, and the export of energy resources to European markets.
The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has recently acquired a 49% stake in a portfolio of solar power plants in Italy.
Analysts say these investments have helped Azerbaijan strengthen its role as a key energy supplier to Europe at a time of heightened concern over energy security.
Italian companies have also increased their presence in construction, transport, and manufacturing, reflecting Azerbaijan’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
Large-scale infrastructure projects have been a particular focus as Italian firms are involved in the design and construction of roads, logistics facilities, and urban development schemes.
The Azerbaijani government on its part, has prioritised infrastructure spending as part of its long-term development strategy, creating opportunities for foreign investors.
Agriculture and food processing have also emerged as potential growth areas for bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan has sought foreign technology and expertise to modernise its agricultural sector, while Italian companies are known for advanced practices in food production and packaging
Renewable energy is another sector attracting attention. Although Azerbaijan is a major oil and gas producer, it has set targets to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix. Italian firms specialising in solar and wind power have expressed interest in projects aimed at supporting the country’s transition towards cleaner energy sources.
High-level visits between Baku and Rome, as well as regular meetings of joint economic commissions, have helped facilitate dialogue between governments and the private sector.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
The suspension of two major grain terminals in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk could increase pressure on Kazakhstan’s agricultural market if Russian exporters divert supplies to Central Asia at discounted prices.
Georgia’s Prime Minister says the EU’s inclusion of a major Black Sea cable project on a key infrastructure list is fresh evidence of the country’s importance to regional energy and digital connectivity.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan and appointed former parliament speaker Alen Simonyan as his replacement.
Central Asia’s economy has surpassed $543 billion, driven by Kazakhstan’s economic weight, strong exports and foreign investment, while growing trade across Asia points to an increasingly connected region.
The United Nations refugee agency is planning a settlement and carpet-weaving workshop for Afghan returnees in Kabul as the country grapples with large-scale returns and growing pressure on housing, jobs and basic services.
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