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Azerbaijan and Serbia have formally launched a Strategic Partnership Council, marking a new phase in bilateral relations and placing cooperation under direct presidential oversight.
Speaking from Belgrade, AnewZ’s Orkhan Amashov described the new Council as “incredibly important”, noting that although the decision to establish it had been taken earlier, its first meeting was held this week.
He said the format enables the presidents of both countries to directly supervise major projects and prevent bureaucratic delays.
Azerbaijan and Serbia have been strategic partners since 2013, when a joint action plan was adopted. Amashov said the council formalises cooperation at the highest political level and reflects both countries’ ambition to strengthen their regional roles.
Azerbaijan has created similar high-level mechanisms with several states with which it maintains strategic or comprehensive partnerships.
Energy remains central to the partnership. Several bilateral documents were adopted during the latest talks, including agreements in the energy sector.
Amashov said Azerbaijan contributes to energy diversification in the Western Balkans as regional states seek alternatives to Russian supplies. Cooperation includes plans for a 500 megawatt gas-fired power plant near Niš, aimed at strengthening Serbia’s domestic generation capacity.
He also noted Azerbaijan’s broader electricity expansion strategy, with plans to add eight gigawatts of generating capacity by 2032, part of which is expected to serve European markets.
Beyond economics, Amashov highlighted the political dimension of the relationship. He pointed to Azerbaijan’s consistent support for Serbia’s territorial integrity regarding Kosovo, despite differing positions with treaty ally Türkiye.
As Serbia advances its European Union accession process, he said closer ties with Azerbaijan enhance Belgrade’s strategic flexibility.
President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit to Serbia on 15 February centred on the inaugural session of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Strategic Partnership Council and the signing of multiple bilateral agreements.
Aliyev was received in Belgrade by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić with an official ceremony at Nikola Tesla Airport. The two leaders held a one-on-one meeting, chaired the council session and addressed the press.
A document exchange ceremony followed, covering cooperation in food security, the design and operation of a gas-turbine power plant, economic coordination, media and communications, culture for 2026 to 2030, sports and health insurance systems.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Vučić describing the council session as a turning point in bilateral relations.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said China has the power to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, arguing that Beijing is enabling Moscow’s military campaign.
Austria’s Janine Flock won the gold medal in the women’s skeleton event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russia’s decision to change the leadership of its delegation for upcoming peace talks in Geneva appeared to be an attempt to delay progress.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Monday ahead of a second round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States, according to Iranian state media.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Four people were killed on Sunday evening in an Israeli drone strike targeting a vehicle in eastern Lebanon near the Lebanese-Syrian border, Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Israel’s cabinet on Sunday approved measures aimed at expanding state oversight of land in the West Bank and facilitating land purchases by settlers, a move Palestinian officials described as a 'de-facto annexation.'
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that member states of the newly formed Board of Peace will announce pledges exceeding $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction during the first official gathering in Washington this week on Thursday.
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