Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said the Azerbaijani authorities first learned about reports of a possible secret meeting between German and Russian representatives in Baku from an article published by The Times, according to the Azerbaijani APA news agency.

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Aliyev said the Azerbaijani authorities launched an inquiry following the publication.

According to Aliyev, before departing for Berlin, he requested information from Azerbaijan’s State Border Service, which confirmed that the individuals named in the report had been in Azerbaijan during the same period.

Aliyev said that on July 12, Ronald Pofalla, former head of the Federal Chancellery under former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and former German politician Matthias Platzeck arrived in Baku from Berlin and departed on July 14.

On the same day, former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and Valery Fadeyev, chairman of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, arrived in Baku from Moscow. One of them left Baku on July 13, while the other departed on July 14, Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijani president added that neither Germany nor Russia had informed Baku about the visits.

“I cannot say with certainty that such a meeting took place because we did not witness it. However, the available information provides grounds to assume that such a secret meeting took place in Baku. If it contributes to ending the Russia–Ukraine war, we would, of course, welcome it,” Aliyev said.

He also stressed that the Russia–Ukraine war should end immediately and that peace should be ensured in the region.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany will continue to expand across a number of strategic areas, particularly energy, transport, connectivity and investment.

According to the Azerbaijani APA news agency, Aliyev made the remarks during a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Aliyev said the documents signed by the two sides would elevate bilateral relations to a new level. He added that Azerbaijan has already launched a strategic dialogue with Germany and that the bilateral agenda covers a broad range of areas of cooperation.

The Azerbaijani president said Azerbaijan began supplying natural gas to Germany this year and noted that the volumes could be increased. He also expressed the view that European banks should reconsider their decisions regarding the financing of oil and gas projects.

Aliyev further said Azerbaijan intends to export not only oil and natural gas to Europe in the future, but also green energy. According to him, energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany will be broad in scope, while German companies will also participate in projects aimed at developing connectivity and transport infrastructure.

He said several working groups would be established in these areas, as envisaged by the agreements signed between the two countries.

Aliyev also said that more than 200 German-capital companies are currently operating in Azerbaijan and expressed hope that their number would increase following the talks. He added that opportunities for mutual investment had also been discussed and proposals had been presented to expand the activities of German companies in Azerbaijan.

Aliyev said cooperation between Azerbaijan and Germany would contribute not only to the development of bilateral relations but also to strengthening peace and cooperation in the region.

He added that he had invited German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to visit Azerbaijan at a time convenient for him.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said that supplies of oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia represent an important contribution to Armenia’s energy security.

According to the Azerbaijani APA news agency, Aliyev made the remarks during a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Aliyev also said that transit shipments of goods from other countries to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory have expanded significantly.

“We are living through a historic period. Azerbaijan offered peace to Armenia and received a positive response. We highly appreciate the role of the German government in this process,” Aliyev said.

Armenia began importing petroleum products from Azerbaijan in December 2025.

According to Azerbaijani figures, Armenia has since imported more than 14,000 tonnes of diesel fuel and around 5,000 tonnes of AI-92 and AI-95 petrol from Azerbaijan.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory message to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on the occasion of Belgium’s National Day.

The message, released by the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office, reads:

“I warmly congratulate you and the friendly people of Belgium on the occasion of your National Day.

I am pleased to note that relations between Armenia and Belgium have continued to develop in recent years, expanding into new strategic areas of partnership.

I warmly recall our meeting in Yerevan this May. I am confident that, through our joint efforts, we will give fresh impetus to expanding multifaceted cooperation between our countries and further strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties.

I highly appreciate Belgium’s continued support for the deepening of the Armenia-European Union partnership, as well as the effective cooperation established between our countries in international forums.

I wish you good health and every success, and the friendly people of Belgium peace and prosperity.”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Pashinyan shared the congratulatory message in a post on X.

“Warm congratulations to Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

I look forward to working closely with you to deepen the Armenia–UK Strategic Partnership and strengthen the friendship between our peoples.”

Former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially resigned on July 20. Andy Burnham, who recently assumed the leadership of the governing Labour Party, was appointed as the country’s new prime minister.

Burnham is the United Kingdom’s seventh prime minister in the past decade.

Starmer announced his resignation on June 22 following the Labour Party’s defeat in local and regional elections held in May.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has congratulated Ed Miliband on his appointment as the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary.

Mirzoyan conveyed his congratulations in a post on X.

“Congratulations to Ed Miliband on your appointment as Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom.

Looking forward to working with you to advance the Armenia–UK Strategic Partnership and deepen cooperation across our shared priorities.”

Earlier, it was reported that newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the composition of his government after taking office on June 20.

John Healey, who resigned as defence secretary in June in protest over what he described as the underfunding of the armed forces and the Royal Navy, was appointed chancellor.

Ed Miliband, who served as leader of the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015, was appointed foreign secretary.

Shabana Mahmood will remain home secretary, a position she has held since 2025.

Former Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was appointed health secretary, while former Health Secretary Wes Streeting became defence secretary.

On June 20, King Charles III formally accepted Keir Starmer’s resignation, appointed Burnham as prime minister and asked him to form a government. The 56-year-old former Mayor of Greater Manchester succeeded Starmer as leader of the governing Labour Party on June 17.

The first foreign leaders Burnham spoke with by telephone after taking office were U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Zelenskyy said the two leaders agreed to meet soon to discuss further cooperation, including within the framework of the anti-ballistic coalition.

Following her conversation with Burnham, von der Leyen said both sides were committed to bringing the European Union and the United Kingdom closer together, adding that their “excellent cooperation” in support of Ukraine would continue.

Trump also said after his call with the newly appointed prime minister that he planned to meet Burnham in the near future.

China Southern Airlines will increase the frequency of its Urumqi-Yerevan service from three to six flights a week starting July 21.

The announcement was made by Cen Jiaming, General Manager of China Southern Airlines’ Yerevan Office, who said the move is aimed at further strengthening air connectivity between Armenia and China.

According to Cen, the expanded schedule will not only increase the number of flights but also provide passengers with more convenient travel options and better onward connections via Urumqi to Beijing, Guangzhou and other major Chinese cities.

“This marks an important milestone for China Southern Airlines in the Armenian market. Expanding the Urumqi-Yerevan route will further strengthen ties between our two countries and contribute to the growth of business, tourism and cultural exchanges,” Cen said.

He added that the airline remains committed to continuously improving its services and further enhancing air connectivity between Armenia and China.

China Southern Airlines has operated scheduled flights between Yerevan and Urumqi since 2024.

A working meeting was held at the Honorary Consulate of Armenia in Venice on July 20 as part of the Armenian government’s programme to promote the entry of Armenian businesses into European markets.

According to the Armenian Embassy in Italy, the meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy Anushik Avetyan, Armenian Ambassador to Italy Vladimir Karapetyan, Investment Support Center Foundation Director Gohar Abajyan, CONFAPI Venice President Marco Zecchinelli, Director General Nicola Zanon, and members of the organisation’s governing board.

The participants discussed prospects for expanding Armenia-Italy economic cooperation and exchanged views on promoting Armenian products in European markets across various sectors, strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties, and creating new business opportunities.

The Armenian delegation was later received by the Prefect of Venice, Darko Pellos.

During the meeting, the participants underscored the importance of further developing economic and institutional cooperation between Armenia and Italy.

Armenian Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan has met with Alina Polyakova, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), and Christopher Walker, the centre’s Vice President.

According to the Armenian Embassy in the United States, the meeting focused on the bilateral agenda, current priorities, regional and international developments, as well as ways to promote expert dialogue and explore potential cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has congratulated the government and people of Belgium on the occasion of the country’s National Day.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry shared the congratulatory message in a post on X.

“Heartfelt congratulations to the Government and the people of Belgium on the occasion of National Day.

Rooted in shared values and mutual respect, our relations continue to grow. Armenia remains committed to further strengthening our partnership, both bilaterally and within the framework of the European Union.”

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also sent a congratulatory message to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on the occasion of Belgium’s National Day.