Overchuk Brings Decision on AZAL Disaster: Baku and Moscow to Accelerate “Roadmap”

Azerbaijan and Russia agreed to intensify economic and trade cooperation during talks in Baku on Monday between Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, underscoring plans to expand transport links and deepen sectoral investment. The sides discussed broadening cooperation in trade and the economy, industry, energy, transport and logistics, as well as the agro-industrial sector. Officials noted steady growth in bilateral trade and highlighted favourable conditions for medium- and long-term joint investment projects.

President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree implementing amendments to Azerbaijan’s laws on the budget system, accounting and public procurement, consolidating oversight powers and formalizing the use of unified digital financial platforms under the Ministry of Finance.

The escalation of the crisis around Iran is already having a noticeable impact on the global oil market, pushing up prices and increasing volatility, while for Azerbaijan higher prices mean increased export revenues and the potential expansion of transit flows from Central Asia, analysts say.

The death of Iran’s supreme leader has shaken a region already accustomed to uncertainty. For Azerbaijan, which shares more than 600 kilometers of border with Iran and maintains complex economic and security ties, this moment is not merely a foreign policy challenge. It is a test of strategic equilibrium.