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Kyrgyzstan is emerging as one of Central Asia’s most captivating destinations, offering visitors everything from the Tien Shan mountains and Lake Is...
SOCAR has completed the acquisition of a 99.82% stake in Italiana Petroli (IP) from API Holding after receiving all required regulatory approvals.
Founded more than 90 years ago, Italiana Petroli is one of Italy’s leading energy and mobility companies, operating an integrated industrial and logistics network that includes two refineries, storage facilities and a nationwide fuel retail system.
The acquisition officially brings IP into the SOCAR group, significantly strengthening the Azerbaijani energy company’s presence in the European market.
The deal forms part of SOCAR’s long-term strategy to expand its integrated energy value chain and reinforce its footprint across Europe, with Italy remaining a key market in the company’s regional portfolio.
SOCAR is already a major crude oil supplier to Italy through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and also contributes to diversifying Italy’s gas supplies via the Southern Gas Corridor.
According to the company, the acquisition supports its broader objective of building a more integrated and resilient international portfolio capable of adapting to evolving market conditions while aligning with sustainability priorities.
SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf described the acquisition as an important milestone in the long-standing energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy.
“The completion of this acquisition marks an important milestone in the longstanding energy collaboration between Azerbaijan and Italy,” he said.
He added that the deal reflects years of economic cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries, while reaffirming SOCAR’s commitment to operational continuity, stability and long-term growth in Italy.
Najaf also said the integration of IP’s network and expertise would strengthen SOCAR’s position in Europe while maintaining the qualities that have shaped IP’s success over decades.
SOCAR said it intends to preserve and further develop IP’s strong market standing, operational capacity, and brand reputation. The company also stressed its commitment to supporting employees, maintaining continuity for customers and partners, and building on the professionalism and expertise already within the business.
Ukraine targeted a warehouse belonging to Russia’s largest retailer, Wildberries, and an oil refinery overnight, while Moscow said its forces struck a ship carrying military cargo in the Black Sea.
The U.S. military said it completed its latest wave of strikes on Iran, a two-hour operation that hit dozens of targets. Washington described the strikes as a "powerful response" to Iranian missile attacks targeting U.S. forces in the Middle East a day earlier.
Iran’s army said it targeted U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait with drone attacks. Tehran said the operations were carried out in retaliation for recent U.S. strikes.
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The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian and economic crises are leaving more people vulnerable to human trafficking, with returnees, women, children and indebted families facing the greatest risks.
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have begun laying a fibre-optic cable beneath the Caspian Sea, marking the start of offshore construction on a long-planned digital infrastructure project.
UNESCO has granted World Heritage status to 10 landmarks of Tashkent's modernist architecture, recognising the buildings that helped redefine Uzbekistan's capital after the devastating 1966 earthquake.
Apple Pay has launched in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, expanding digital payment services across Central Asia and supporting the region's shift towards cashless transactions.
Georgia has secured two major financial commitments this week, with one aimed at easing road congestion around the capital and the other at strengthening the country's banking safety net.
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