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...
During his visit to the UK for the EBRD 2025 Annual Meeting and Business Forum, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov engaged in high-level discussions with international leaders to strengthen economic ties and advance the country’s green and digital development agenda.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov held a series of strategic meetings during his visit to the United Kingdom to attend the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) 2025 Annual Meeting and Business Forum.
In talks with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, Minister Jabbarov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to enhancing its partnership with the Bank. He emphasized the critical role of leveraging global expertise and cutting-edge technologies in joint projects across Azerbaijan. The discussion also focused on advancing Azerbaijan’s collaboration with the European Union, particularly in areas that support the transition toward a green and digital economy. Both sides exchanged views on priority sectors such as renewable energy and infrastructure development, underlining the need for coordinated action toward a sustainable economic future.
Minister Jabbarov also met with Doina Nistor, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of Moldova. The ministers identified strong potential for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and other sectors. They explored ways to broaden economic ties and unlock new partnership opportunities between the two countries.
In a separate meeting with EBRD First Vice President Jürgen Rigterink, Jabbarov thanked him for his contributions to the Azerbaijan-EBRD partnership, as Rigterink prepares to step down. He also welcomed Greg Guyett’s appointment to the position and reiterated Azerbaijan’s readiness to deepen its collaboration with the Bank to accelerate green and digital transformation.
During discussions with Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Jabbarov highlighted the importance of diversifying economic cooperation with Egypt. Both sides reviewed prospects for enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, SMEs, energy, infrastructure, logistics, and other strategic sectors. They also considered the establishment of formal platforms to facilitate business-to-business engagement.
Additionally, Jabbarov met with Lionel Rapaille, Director at the European Investment Bank (EIB). Their discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in infrastructure and digital development. Minister Jabbarov expressed Azerbaijan’s interest in building a long-term relationship with the EIB and emphasized the importance of supporting private sector growth and improving the effectiveness of joint projects.





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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