German foundations halt Georgia work as grants law deepens EU rift
Four major German political foundations have halted their work in Georgia as tighter rules on foreign grants put pressure on a decades-old partners...
President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, visited Azerbaijan on Wednesday. A meeting between Costa and President Ilham Aliyev was held to reaffirm the European Union’s support amid regional security concerns, particularly following recent Iranian attacks on Nakhchivan Airport.
During a joint media briefing, Costa highlighted the EU’s commitment to Azerbaijan, condemning the attacks in the “strongest terms” and emphasising the importance of regional stability under international law.
“The European Union remains committed to working with all partners through dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and protect civilians,” he said.
The meeting also underscored Azerbaijan’s strategic role in regional energy security.
Costa praised Azerbaijan’s continued natural gas exports to Europe, with 10 EU countries currently receiving Azerbaijani gas. He also highlighted the potential to expand supplies under the 2022 memorandum of understanding, which aims to double deliveries to 20 billion cubic metres.
President Aliyev stressed that, in total, 16 European countries now receive pipeline gas from Azerbaijan, reinforcing the country’s position as a key global energy supplier.
Beyond energy, discussions also focused on bilateral peace efforts with Armenia. Aliyev emphasised progress since the joint declaration signed in August 2025, noting that Azerbaijan and Armenia have maintained peace over the past seven months.
“Since 1991, Azerbaijan has been an independent sovereign state, but only recently have we been living in peace with Armenia,” he said.
The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions following Iranian strikes on Azerbaijani territory.
Costa concluded by reaffirming the EU’s solidarity and willingness to cooperate with Azerbaijan on energy, security and diplomatic fronts, underscoring the country’s regional role in both stability and energy supply.
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, with Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), appointed as acting oil minister, according to Iranian state media.
Right-wing Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff of the presidential election later this month, after he exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent.
Candidates elected to Bosnia and Herzegovina's three-member presidency declared victory after preliminary unofficial results showed Denis Becirovic leading the Bosniak seat, Darijana Filipovic ahead in the Croat seat and Zeljka Cvijanovic likely retaining the Serb seat.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets seven conditions agreed under a June memorandum, as President Donald Trump signals he may soon decide whether to resume military operations against Tehran.
Four major German political foundations have halted their work in Georgia as tighter rules on foreign grants put pressure on a decades-old partnership and add to tensions between Tbilisi and its European partners.
The U.S. has deployed two additional Patriot missile batteries to the Gulf, protecting key energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Washington expands its military presence in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan held talks in Tehran on Monday on bilateral ties and efforts to strengthen peace and security in the South Caucasus.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it has conveyed its initial position to the United States through Qatar over Washington’s response to Tehran’s seven-day plan aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 1.2 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan so far in 2026, with more than 500,000 deported, according to data from the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
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