Afghanistan, Belarus agree to deepen industrial cooperation
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to advance joint industrial projects, investment and technical cooperation following talks in Minsk, as Kabul s...
The Azerbaijani government has announced its proposed 2025 state budget, prioritizing socio-economic development, national security, and post-conflict reconstruction in line with the directives of President Ilham Aliyev.
The Azerbaijani government has announced its proposed 2025 state budget, prioritizing socio-economic development, national security, and post-conflict reconstruction in line with the directives of President Ilham Aliyev. The budget also aligns with the nation's Strategy for Socio-Economic Development (2022-2026), emphasizing rebuilding efforts in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, reintegrating liberated territories, and facilitating the safe return of displaced persons.
Finance Minister Samir Sharifov presented the budget plan to the Azerbaijani Parliament on November 25, highlighting its total projected expenditures of 41.4 billion manat ($24.3 billion). Of this amount, 27.7 billion manat ($16.2 billion), or two-thirds, will be directed toward key national priorities.
Sharifov noted that 4 million manat ($2.3 million), representing 9.7 percent of the total budget expenditures, is allocated to the First State Program for the Great Return. This funding will focus on developing residential areas and villages in liberated territories as part of ongoing reconstruction efforts.
A significant portion of the budget—8.4 billion manat ($4.9 billion), or 20.3 percent—is earmarked for enhancing the country’s military capabilities and modernizing its defense sector. This figure marks a 17.8 percent increase from the 2024 forecast and a substantial 43.4 percent rise compared to 2023, underscoring Azerbaijan's commitment to strengthening its national security infrastructure.
"The proposed budget reflects Azerbaijan's dedication to achieving its strategic goals, ensuring stability, and fostering sustainable development," Sharifov stated in his address.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to advance joint industrial projects, investment and technical cooperation following talks in Minsk, as Kabul seeks Belarusian machinery and support to develop domestic manufacturing.
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are drawing up a new programme aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030, as the two countries move to deepen economic and industrial ties.
Syria says it assured Israel that Türkiye had no plans to establish a military presence at the Abu al-Duhur airbase before Israeli forces struck the site on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued his strongest warning yet over Türkiye's growing military role in Syria, saying Israel will not accept Turkish forces expanding their presence further south.
Azerbaijan’s support for Ukraine could provide a model for neighbouring countries seeking to strengthen their sovereignty, the director of development at an organisation supporting Ukraine’s armed forces has told AnewZ.
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