AnewZ Morning Brief - 7 January, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 7th of January, covering the latest developments you need to k...
Baku hosted 14th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The delegations were headed by Uzbekistan’s Minister Laziz Kudratov and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov.
On Friday, Minister Laziz Kudratov participated in series of events focused on strengthening and expanding bilateral trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the Uzbek delegation and noted that Laziz Kudratov’s visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss key issues on the bilateral agenda. The head of state praised the numerous joint projects underway between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, emphasizing that they reflect the strong and friendly relations between the two countries across all sectors.
Minister Kudratov said that President Mirziyoyev was preparing for an upcoming visit to Azerbaijan and has instructed the government to ensure the visit delivers concrete and practical outcomes.
The talks highlighted the positive momentum in economic and trade relations, with discussions centered on deepening cooperation in industry, transport, and logistics, as well as exploring new joint projects.
As part of the business agenda, the 14th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, along with the 3rd Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum, took place in Baku on Friday.
The events were supported by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, and organized by the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO).
Discussions focused on key areas of collaboration, including trade and economic ties, industrial partnerships, and joint projects in transport, agriculture, and the food industry—core pillars of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Mikayil Jabbarov stated that from January to May 2025, a trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan exceeded $200 million. He emphasized that efforts are continuing to boost exports, expand joint investment activities, and strengthen direct business ties. Jabbarov also highlighted plans to establish a Trade Representative Office of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan.
The minister emphasized the broad potential for enhancing cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, industry, energy, transport, and transit, as well as business development in the Alat Free Economic Zone and the liberated territories. During the forum, Uzbek business representatives were invited to actively explore and capitalize on the business opportunities available in Azerbaijan.
The two sides highlighted the progress of joint projects in residential and tourism infrastructure development, as well as the establishment of a logistics center, and cotton and dairy clusters. The Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company was commended for actively financing 15 projects totaling over $360 million.
A number of new initiatives were agreed upon, including: a Joint Action Plan to boost bilateral trade; an Industrial Cooperation Program for 2025–2026; a two-year schedule of mutual trade missions; the opening of trade houses and showrooms in Tashkent and Baku; the creation of a bilateral Business Council; and measures to enhance interregional transport corridors. Additional areas of cooperation will include sericulture, cotton production, and dairy processing.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service secretly monitored the telephone communications of former U.S. President Barack Obama for several years, including calls made aboard Air Force One, according to an investigation by the German newspaper Die Zeit.
Israeli media report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a lengthy security meeting that reportedly focused on the country’s regional threats, including Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
At the end of last year, U.S. President Donald Trump was reported to have raised the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace agenda during a conversation with Israel’s prime minister, warning that if peace were not achieved, Washington could raise tariffs on both countries by 100 percent.
President Ilham Aliyev said 2025 has politically closed the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, as a Trump-era reset in U.S. ties, new transport corridors and a push into AI, renewables and defence production reshape Azerbaijan’s priorities.
Dmitry Medvedev has warned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could face the same fate as Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, following what he described as a U.S. ‘abduction’ of the Venezuelan president.
Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, the country’s judiciary reported on Wednesday, 7 January, amid an intensifying campaign against alleged foreign agents.
Protests continued into another day in Iran, with crowds returning to the streets despite mounting pressure from the authorities. By scale and spread, the unrest has entered its most significant phase so far.
International law remains codified through treaties, charters, and resolutions, but enforcement depends largely on political will. When major powers choose not to comply, there is no global authority capable of compelling implementation.
President Ilham Aliyev has said Azerbaijan is not considering participation in any combat or peace enforcement mission in the Gaza Strip, stressing that any discussion of involvement depends on a clearly defined international mandate, the nature of the mission, and the consent of all parties.
Iran has denounced the U.S. detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing the operation as an ‘abduction’ and calling for his immediate release.
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