Tag: Azerbaijan

Categories
-Top News Arab News USA

Blinken, Aliyev discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan peace efforts

Blinken commended the recent advancements, including the August 30, regulation on border delimitation…reports Asian Lite News

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the upcoming COP29 climate conference, the Azerbaijani president’s press service said.

Blinken commended the recent advancements, including the August 30, regulation on border delimitation, and reiterated the US commitment to supporting a durable peace in the region.

The two leaders held the discussions over the phone on Monday.

Aliyev underscored that peace is already established, attributing this to Azerbaijan’s efforts, reports Xinhua news agency.

He emphasised Azerbaijan’s role in creating new realities based on justice and international law.

The Azerbaijani leader also highlighted the need for Armenia to renounce territorial claims in its constitution and called for the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, which he considers outdated.

The discussion also addressed Azerbaijan’s role in hosting COP29, with Blinken expressing strong US support and praising bilateral cooperation. Aliyev expressed the hope for significant consensus on climate finance at the conference.

The two sides also reviewed Azerbaijan-US relations during their conversation.

ALSO READ: UNGA debates call for end to Israeli occupation

Categories
-Top News UAE News World News

UAE, Azerbaijan set to develop economic partnership

During the meeting, the UAE and Azerbaijan agreed to develop their existing economic partnership in the sectors of entrepreneurship…reports Asian Lite News

The ninth session of the UAE-Azerbaijan Joint Intergovernmental Commission (JIC) for Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation between the two countries was held in the Azerbaijani city of Shusha, chaired by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; and his Azerbaijani counterpart Mikayil Jabbarov. The session was attended by several senior officials and government and private sector representatives from both sides.

During the meeting, the UAE and Azerbaijan agreed to develop their existing economic partnership in the sectors of entrepreneurship, SMEs, new economy, tourism, aviation, industry, innovation, technology, agriculture, food security, logistics, culture, energy, renewable energy and investment.

Bin Touq stated that the UAE and Azerbaijan share strong strategic relations and economic partnerships that have evolved over more than three decades. These relations are characterised by the frequent exchange of high-level visits between the two countries. The most recent of them was the visit of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Azerbaijan last January, during which, MoUs were signed between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.

He said, “The latest JIC session is a key milestone in strengthening the economic ties between the UAE and Azerbaijan. The meeting discussed several vital economic sectors that have the potential to drive the sustainable development of both economies. We are keen to work closely with our Azerbaijani partners to open up new avenues for collaboration and create diverse opportunities in various sectors, thereby supporting the sustainable growth of both economies.”

During the meeting, Bin Touq reviewed the opportunities and advantages offered by the UAE’s business environment, most notably the amendments made to the Commercial Companies Law to allow 100 percent foreign ownership. The amendment led to the registration of more than 275,000 new companies in the UAE within a year and a half. Thus, the total number of companies operating in the UAE exceeded 788,000 by the end of 2023. In addition to this, visa and residency systems were revamped, and self-employment and green residency routes were introduced, thereby promoting the country’s attractiveness to talents, competencies, and entrepreneurs in various strategic sectors.

Bin Touq urged the Azerbaijani private sector to capitalise on the flexible and competitive policies offered by the UAE’s business environment, which facilitate the establishment and launch of new ventures. He noted that the recent updates made to various legislations, including the family businesses law, commercial agencies, cooperatives, and trade through modern technology means, have contributed to ensuring a more supportive business climate. Furthermore, he emphasised the UAE’s commitment to driving sustainable economic growth through promoting a circular economy, particularly highlighting the ‘UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031.’ The agenda is key to enhancing sustainability in the country’s development journey through the next decade.

In detail, both parties agreed to establish joint work teams consisting of members from relevant entities from both sides to explore further opportunities for economic collaboration in priority sectors at both government and private sector levels. They will also provide comprehensive support for exporters and importers to facilitate and enhance the exchange of goods and services, as well as to diversify them. This is particularly significant given that the UAE serves as a vital trade gateway, facilitating the movement of Azerbaijani exports to regional markets. The meeting also explored promising investment opportunities in the food and manufacturing industries and sought to create new communication channels between the two business communities.

The UAE and Azerbaijan explored the potential for implementing tailored programs and initiatives to boost the growth of startups in both markets. The discussions focused on enhancing investment opportunities and enabling exports to access new markets. The two sides agreed on the importance of motivating SME owners and entrepreneurs to invest in new economy sectors, thereby increasing their contributions to the GDP of both nations.

The UAE and Azerbaijan expressed their interest in organising joint tourism exhibitions, events, and conferences to highlight the key tourism and historical attractions of both countries and to leverage their diverse tourism offerings The collaboration is expected to boost tourism inflows from across the globe, particularly given that there are over 185 flights connecting the two destinations every month, operated by the UAE’s national carriers.

Both parties discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in the areas of digitalisation, innovation, and technology. The need to exchange insights on the development of an innovative ecosystem and promote cooperative efforts between the government entities focused on AI and innovative solutions in both countries was highlighted.

The UAE and Azerbaijan explored the means to strengthen cooperation in food security and agriculture through increased trade in food products as well as agricultural and livestock goods. The two sides also reviewed the latest trends in the agricultural sector.

The strengthening of cooperation and investment exchanges in the energy and renewable energy sectors was another major area of focus. The JIC session further explored prospects for partnerships to launch new projects, particularly in power generation, and for organising workshops for experts from both countries on energy efficiency improvement.

The UAE is Azerbaijan’s number one trading partner in the Arab world, accounting for 40 percent of its trade with the region. In 2023, the value of non-oil trade between the two countries surpassed US$1.64 billion (AED6 billion), reflecting an impressive growth of 68 percent compared to that of 2022.

Preliminary figures also suggest a rise in non-oil trade between the two countries during the period from January to April 2024, which has reached $617 million (AED2.3 billion), reflecting a 62 percent growth compared to the same period in 2023.

The UAE’s investments in Azerbaijan are estimated at $1.1 billion by the end of 2022, which makes the UAE the largest Arab and seventh largest global investor in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani investments in the UAE amounted to over $210 million as of the end of 2021.

ALSO READ: Iran calls for OIC meeting after Haniyeh killing

Categories
-Top News Arab News UAE News

Azerbaijan confirmed as host of COP29

Referencing the principles that underpin the organisation of the conference, the COP29 Presidency highlighted its sustainability considerations. ..reports Asian Lite News

COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell attended a signing ceremony and exchanged letters, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s status as the host country for this year’s COP29 UN climate conference.

The exchange of letters followed the COP29 Operating Company’s announcement of progress in its preparations to welcome international delegates to the conference in Baku and the Presidency’s engagements with parties to ensure that their concerns and priorities are addressed.

During the Bonn Climate Change Conference, the COP29 Presidency held a wide-ranging briefing and feedback session on details and plans for transportation, accommodation, and hospitality for the thousands of visitors expected to participate in this year’s COP29 conference, along with logistical aspects related to the venue itself. The COP29 Presidency continued its consultations with observer organisations and country delegates on the logistics for COP29 to ensure that the upcoming climate conference is accessible for all.

Guided by the principles of the conference, sustainability is a priority, together with a focus on encouraging international cooperation and hosting an accessible and inclusive event that will leave a lasting legacy in Azerbaijan and beyond.”

“The COP29 Presidency has made significant progress and will be ready to deliver a world-class event. We have applied our experiences hosting many other global events, as well as learnings from past COPs, to our preparations,” said COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev. “Hosting COP29 is an opportunity and a responsibility – and one we do not take lightly. As hosts, we will be transparent, action-oriented, welcoming and inclusive.”

Covering comprehensive event planning and operational readiness, Narmin Jarchalova, COO of the COP29 Operating Company said, “Our country has a lot to offer as a COP29 host destination thanks to the unique components of natural diversity, a multicultural society, historic heritage and a forward-looking vision. Our experienced and dedicated team organising the conference logistics and services is excited to host COP29 and welcome the world to Azerbaijan this November.”

During the presentation, the COP29 Presidency shared information regarding the conference venue and green zone arrangements, working facilities dedicated to supporting a successful conference and other necessary elements for high standard door-to-door guest experience, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation, visas, and catering.

Referencing the principles that underpin the organisation of the conference, the COP29 Presidency highlighted its sustainability considerations. To deliver a commitment to carbon neutrality and the sustainability of the conference, COP29 will regularly monitor and report on emissions directly and indirectly generated by operations throughout the event.

Inclusivity is a top priority across all elements of event preparations. The organisers are focused on promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity. A strong emphasis will be placed on diverse representation in speakers, panels, and workshop facilitators as well as ensuring participation from underrepresented groups. A range of measures address accessibility to the conference venue and facilities.

A specially designed legacy programme has been devised with elements related to building human capital, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering sustainable development. It focuses on capacity building, raising local awareness and reusing logistics and infrastructure items.

ALSO READ: UAE Foreign Minister chairs meeting of Education Council

Categories
-Top News UAE News

UAE welcomes agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia

The UAE expresses hope that this significant step will strengthen bridges of communication and dialogue, and contribute to fostering stability and constructive cooperation in the Caucasus region…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has welcomed the agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the delimitation and demarcation of land borders, in the area of four villages, highlighting that the UAE is following the evolving confidence-building process and peace reinforcement between the two countries.

The UAE expresses hope that this significant step will strengthen bridges of communication and dialogue, and contribute to fostering stability and constructive cooperation in the Caucasus region.

Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, emphasised that this positive development, established through direct communications, represents an important step towards a comprehensive peace agreement that bolsters development and peace on both regional and international levels, which would benefit both countries and their peoples, and fulfill their mutual interests, while achieving further prosperity and growth.

Al Sayegh affirmed that the UAE holds close and distinguished ties with both the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, and underscores the country’s commitment to reinforce peace and stability in the region, while emphasising the importance of building bridges, and fostering cooperation and dialogue to resolve differences by peaceful means.

ALSO READ-‘Earth Day drives UAE’s circular Economy agenda’

Categories
-Top News Arab News UAE News

Azerbaijan Welcomes UAE President

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev yesterday welcomed UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan….reports Asian Lite News

His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, yesterday welcomed UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan.

Upon the arrival of His Highness’ convoy at the Zuğulba Presidential Palace in the capital Baku, an official reception ceremony was held, accompanied by His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev. A guard of honour saluted His Highness, followed by the playing of the national anthems of both the UAE and Azerbaijan.

His Highness the President then greeted senior Azerbaijani officials, including ministers and dignitaries.

His Excellency President Aliyev also shook hands with members of the delegation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the visit, including His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Mohammed Murad Al Balushi, UAE Ambassador to Azerbaijan; and a number of senior UAE officials.

The UAE President also attended a dinner banquet hosted by President Aliyev in honour of His Highness and the accompanying delegation.

Tomb of National Leader

President Sheikh Mohamed also visited the tomb of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the founder of modern Azerbaijan, where His Highness laid a wreath. His Highness also visited the Martyrs’ Lane, placing a wreath at the Eternal Flame Memorial.

Accompanying His Highness during his visit to the tomb and Martyrs’ Lane were His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court.

Welcoming His Highness upon his arrival were Eldar Azizov, Mayor of Baku, and a number of senior officials.

ALSO READ: Modi to address Indian diaspora in UAE on Feb 13

Categories
-Top News Arab News USA

Blinken looks to conclude “durable” peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meet on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2023, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)

The US Secretary of State said that the conflict “underscored the benefits that peace would bring to everyone in the region….reports Asian Lite News

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the possibility of concluding a peace treaty between the two states.

Blinken “welcomed President Aliyev’s commitment to conclude a durable and dignified peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” reported TASS, citing one of the statements distributed by State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller.

The US Secretary of State said that the conflict “underscored the benefits that peace would bring to everyone in the region.” He also discussed US-Azerbaijan bilateral relations with Aliyev, “noted recent points of concern,” and touched on “opportunities to strengthen cooperation.”

Armenia and their neighbour, Azerbaijan, have been in constant opposition over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

When Armenia took control of the Azeri region in 1993, the region was mostly inhabited by ethnic Armenians until 2023.

On September 19, tensions flared up again in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku announced it was launching what it described as “local anti-terrorist measures” and demanded the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the region. Yerevan, in turn, said there were no Armenian forces in Karabakh, calling what was happening “an act of large-scale aggression,” Tass has reported.

Azerbaijan reclaimed the territory in late September after defeating separatist forces, extending gains made in 2020 when a Russia-brokered cease-fire allowed it to take over most of the territory that Armenia had seized in a yearslong war in the 1990s.

Since the recent assault, 120,000 ethnic Armenians have fled for their home country.

On November 18, at the fall session of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly in the Armenian capital, Prime Minister Pashiyan stated that Yerevan and Baku had been able to agree on the basic principles of a peace agreement.

Merely two days after this statement, at a press conference following talks with his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid, the Azerbaijani president said that he was waiting for a response from Armenia for peace proposals sent two months prior.

During the US Secretary of State’s conversation with Pashinyan, it is noted that Blinken “discussed US support for efforts to reach a durable and dignified peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

The top US diplomat reaffirmed their support for Armenia, “their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” as well as pointing to US “efforts to increase bilateral cooperation with Armenia.”

On September 21, representatives of Baku and the Armenian population of Karabakh met in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh “to discuss reintegration issues.”

The most likely option for the local ethnic Armenian population in Ngorno-Karabakh will be to consider the reintegration proposals and decide whether to remain or relocate to Armenia or other foreign states.

On September 28, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree officially dissolving the unrecognised state, effective January 1, 2024, TASS reported.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to continue his diplomacy work by visiting Israel, the West Bank, Belgium, North Macedonia, and the UAE this week. (ANI)

Secy of State to return to Israel, West Bank  

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return this week to the Middle East as the U.S. hopes to find a way to extend a cease-fire in Gaza and get more hostages released, the State Department said Monday. It will be his third trip to the region since Israel’s war with Hamas began last month.

Blinken will travel to Israel and the West Bank after attending Ukraine-focused meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels and Skopje, North Macedonia, where foreign ministers from NATO and the Organization for Peace and Security in Europe are gathering.

Israel has agreed to pauses in its military operations in exchange for the gradual release of hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. The agreement had been due to expire Monday but was extended for an additional two days, meaning the extension will be expiring just as Blinken is arriving in Israel.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday the U.S. hopes to see the pause extended further, but it is dependent on Hamas continuing to release hostages.

In Israel and the West Bank, Blinken will “discuss Israel’s right to defend itself consistent with international humanitarian law, as well as continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages, protect civilian life during Israel’s operations in Gaza, and accelerate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

He said Blinken also will discuss the principles for a post-conflict Gaza, as well as the need to establish an independent Palestinian state and prevent the conflict from widening.

In the occupied West Bank, Blinken is expected to see Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Blinken and other U.S. officials have said they believe the Palestinian Authority should play a significant role in governing post-conflict Gaza.

From Israel and the West Bank, Blinken will travel to the United Arab Emirates for discussions with regional leaders who will be in Dubai to attend the COP28 climate summit.

Blinken has been engaged in furious diplomacy to try to prevent the Gaza conflict from spreading, expand the provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in the territory, secure the release of hostages and arrange for foreigners and dual nationals to leave Gaza overland to Egypt.

On each of his prior two trips, Blinken has traveled to Israel and Jordan multiple times. Between the two trips, he also made stops in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE.

Blinken will arrive in Israel having just participated in an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe foreign ministers meeting in Skopje. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said he plans to attend the OSCE meeting, possibly setting the stage for a U.S.-Russia confrontation there over Ukraine.

ALSO READ: US President Biden to Skip COP28 in Dubai

Categories
-Top News Europe

Armenia and Azerbaijan Agree on Key Principles for Peace Treaty

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at odds over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, since 1988…reports Asian Lite News

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Yerevan and Azerbaijan have agreed on the key principles for a peace treaty which include mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

At the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly autumn session here, he said the principles also include commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration as a political framework for the delimitation of borders and unblocking of regional connections under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the two countries.

However, the Armenian Prime Minister admitted that the two countries are still “speaking different diplomatic languages” about their deep-rooted distrust, Xinhua news agency reported.

Peace talks have been going on since 1994 when a ceasefire was agreed on, despite sporadic clashes since then.

ALSO READ-Lawmakers Call on Biden Administration to Assess Human Rights Violations in Pakistan

Categories
-Top News Europe UK News

Azerbaijan attacks Nagorno-Karabakh   

After war with Azerbaijan, Armenia taps India for military hardware.(photo:IN)

Antonio Guterres calls “for an immediate end to the fighting” after the EU, France and Germany condemned Azerbaijan’s military action…reports Asian Lite News

Azerbaijan said on Wednesday its military operation in Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh continued successfully after the US called on it to halt hostilities and Moscow urged both sides to stop the bloodshed in the disputed region.

After months of rising tensions in the Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan this week sent troops backed by artillery strikes into the region in an attempt to bring the breakaway region to heel.

The military measures “continue successfully,” with weaponry and military equipment destroyed, Azerbaijan’s defense ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging platform.

The mountainous Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, but part of it is run by separatist Armenian authorities who say it is their ancestral homeland.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held calls with both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, urging Azerbaijan to “immediately cease military actions” and de-escalate the situation.

In a readout of the call, the US Department of State said that Aliyev “expressed readiness” to stop hostilities and hold a meeting with representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh. Blinken told Pashinyan in their call that Armenia has Washington’s full support.

Russian news agencies cited Azeri’s presidential administration as saying Aliyev told Blinken that Azerbaijan will stop its operation only after Armenian fighters lay down their weapons and surrender.

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, called “for an immediate end to the fighting” after the European Union, France and Germany condemned Azerbaijan’s military action.

Armenia took control of large swathes of territory in a war that unfolded as the Soviet Union collapsed. Azerbaijan took most of it back in a six-week conflict in 2020, ended by a Russian-brokered truce.

It was not clear whether Azerbaijan’s actions would trigger a full-scale conflict dragging in Armenia, but the fighting in Karabakh could alter the geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus.

Russia — distracted by its own war in Ukraine — is seeking to preserve its influence in the region, crisscrossed with oil and gas pipelines, in the face of greater activity from Turkiye, which backs Azerbaijan.

Karabakh separatist authorities said 27 people had been killed, including two civilians, and more than 200 injured due to the military action on Tuesday. Residents of some villages had been evacuated, they said.

Moscow called early on Wednesday on both sides to stop the bloodshed and hostilities and return to the implementation of the 2020 cease-fire agreement.

“We urge the conflicting parties to immediately stop the bloodshed, stop hostilities and eliminate civilian casualties,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its Telegram messaging platform.

Relations between Russia and Armenia — traditional allies — have frayed badly since President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and further deteriorated in recent months over what Armenia says is Moscow’s failure to fully uphold the 2020 cease-fire deal.

Armenia, which had been holding periodic peace talks with Azerbaijan, including questions about Karabakh’s future, condemned Baku’s “full-scale aggression” against the people of Karabakh and accused Azerbaijan of shelling towns and villages.

Azerbaijan said its intention was to “disarm and secure the withdrawal of formations of Armenia’s armed forces from our territories, (and) neutralize their military infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, Russia has called for an immediate halt to “bloodshed” in the ongoing conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and has urged Azerbaijan and Armenia to return to compliance with the trilateral agreement with Moscow, TASS News Agency reported.

Moscow has further urged the sides to stop armed hostilities and do everything possible to protect the population

“The most important thing now is to immediately return to compliance with the trilateral agreements signed at the top level in 2020-2022, which lay out all measures for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It also urged “to stop armed hostilities and to do everything possible in order to protect the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and defend its interests,” TASS reported.

It further demanded the sides to stop the ‘bloodshed’, adding that the Russian peacekeeping force is assisting the civilian population in the conflicted region.

“Due to a rapid escalation of armed hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, we strongly call upon the conflicting sides to immediately stop bloodshed, cease hostilities and prevent casualties among the civilian population,” TASS quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry.

It added, “Currently, the Russian peacekeeping force is assisting the civilian population [of Nagorno-Karabakh], including providing medical aid to them, and is dealing with matters of evacuation”.

Meanwhile, at least 27 people have been killed and 200 wounded in a military operation by Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, CNN reported citing an official in Armenian-controlled territory there.

ALSO READ-Azerbaijan opens Tel Aviv embassy, Israel welcomes move

Categories
-Top News Arab News Asia News

Azerbaijan opens Tel Aviv embassy, Israel welcomes move

Israeli foreign minister Cohen termed the opening of the embassy as “an important occasion for our two countries and peoples”…reports Asian Lite News

Azerbaijan has opened an embassy in Israel, three decades after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen hosted his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov before the opening ceremony, Xinhua news agency reported.

Cohen said that the opening of the embassy in Tel Aviv marks “an important occasion for our two countries and peoples”.

He stressed that Azerbaijan is a “strategic partner”, and he plans to go on a diplomatic visit to Baku with an economic delegation “soon”.

For his part, Bayramov said that “Israel was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of Azerbaijan. During the past 30 years, relations between the two countries were strong on the basis of dialogue and mutual understanding”.

“We discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation, which has promising opportunities,” Bayramov said, adding that 114 Israeli companies operate in Azerbaijan and there have been direct flights between the two countries since 1993.

Israel and Azerbaijan have had official ties for 30 years, and Israel first opened its embassy in Baku in 1993.

ALSO READ: Israel defence chief sacked for opposing judicial overhaul

Categories
Asia News

Azerbaijan, India review trade & economic ties

The two countries have successfully diversified cooperation in various areas, especially in trade, commerce and energy sector…reports Asian Lite News

India and Azerbaijan held the fifth round of Foreign Office Consultations on November 28 and reviewed bilateral relations comprehensively including, political, trade, and economic matters, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

“The Fifth round of India-Azerbaijan Foreign Office Consultations was held in New Delhi on 28 November 2022. Indian delegation was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West),” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Elnur Mammadov, led Azerbaijan’s delegation. The 4th Foreign Office Consultations were held in Baku on 28 July 2016.

“The two sides reviewed India-Azerbaijan bilateral relations comprehensively including, political, trade & economic, consular, culture, and education matters. Views were also exchanged on regional issues and cooperation in the UN and other multilateral bodies,” the MEA said.

This year India and Azerbaijan mark the 30th anniversary of establishment of their diplomatic relations. India was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991.

The two countries have successfully diversified cooperation in various areas, especially in trade, commerce and energy sector.

According to MEA, bilateral trade has grown many-folds and today stands around USD 1 Billion (January-September 2022). Azerbaijan is emerging as an important supplier of crude oil to India. ONGC Videsh Limited has significant interests in Azerbaijan’s hydrocarbon sector.

About 1400 Indians are living in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is also attracting growing numbers of Indian tourists.

Co-operation despite ‘geopolitical differences’

Despite its growing alignment with Pakistan, Azerbaijan is careful that it does not come at the expense of the country’s relations with India as Azerbaijan and India are invested in cooperation despite ‘several geopolitical differences’.

However, India refrained from inviting Azerbaijan to the BRICS summit and additionally prevented India and Bhutan from reportedly signing a declaration voicing NAM countries with Azerbaijan after radical Shia groups stormed the Azerbaijani embassy in London on August 4th, a Research Fellow at the Topchubashov Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, Mahammad Mammadov, said in a statement for New Eastern Europe magazine. The growing divide between the two countries propagated mainly from the diplomatic affinities in the Nagorno-Karabakh and Kashmir conflicts , however, due to burgeoning economic relations between Baku and New Delhi, the damage to bilateral ties between the two countries did not remain for too long.

Moreover, India elected to become more pronounced in its support of Armenia while keeping its “principled position” intact on the Karabakh situation as India’s foreign ministry, referring to Azerbaijan, called upon the aggressor side to immediately cease hostilities, New Eastern Europe magazine reported.

Moreover, the military ties between the Azerbaijan-Pakistan partnership saw good development in terms of joint military exercises and military education programmes.

But, quite soon the war between Russia and Ukraine and the sanctions put by the west on Russia created new opportunities for Azerbaijan and India to put differences aside and co-operate in mutually beneficial areas as India became Azerbaijan’s fourth largest export partner in the first six months of 2022, News Eastern Europe reported quoting Mammadov

In recent times, China is increasingly seeking to find ways to find connectivity with Europe and the Middle East by bypassing Russia and to do so it is escalating tensions in the South Caucasus region, especially in Azerbaijan with the backing of Pakistan.

China has been expanding its BRI projects for last many years. Beijing is being seen building transport routes to Europe that bypass Russia for the last decade.

The South Caucasus region acts as a link between the Middle East, China, Russia and Europe and therefore the region has great strategic significance.

Secondly, it is China’s show of strength to build up connectivity in the region.

China’s ploy to expand its reach in Azerbaijan seemed highly probable as it comes in the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s government probe of a secret military flight which originated from Macao (China) to reach Yerevan in Armenia, reported Portal Plus. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Israel welcomes Azerbaijan opening embassy in Tel Aviv