From 16:00 April 29 to 16:00 April 30

The media agenda reflects patriotic narratives related to the successes of Azerbaijani athletes in Europe.

The media also discuss the visit of the Azerbaijani government delegation to Armenia.

Particular attention in the media is given to customs authorities, including fees for electronic commerce and amendments предусматривающие ограничения права на выезд из страны.

The state company AzerGold significantly increased its export revenue from gold and silver in the first quarter.

The situation regarding freedom of the press and criminal cases against representatives of civil society remains in the focus of international organizations.

“Not everyone in Europe is pleased with Azerbaijan’s victories” — Ilham Aliyev

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the national wrestling team on April 30, which won the team ranking at the European Championship in Tirana. He congratulated the athletes on their success, noting that Azerbaijani wrestling remains one of the strongest in Europe despite increasing competition. Aliyev also stated that at European tournaments, in his opinion, cases of unfair refereeing against Azerbaijani athletes occur more often than at world competitions.

“Probably, far from everyone in Europe is pleased with Azerbaijan’s participation in European championships, and not only with participation, but also with the fact that it defeats all European countries,” Aliyev said.

Assessment: The criticism of Europe reflects distrust in the objectivity of European sports institutions, the perception of possible bias in refereeing, and a broader political and symbolic context in which Azerbaijan’s sporting successes are viewed as part of international competition and the country’s status.

Border delimitation and transit: Azerbaijan and Armenia strengthen working contacts

Delegations of Azerbaijan and Armenia at the thirteenth meeting of the commission on the delimitation of the state border on April 29 in the Armenian city of Argevane agreed on the exchange of draft instructions regulating the work of expert groups, the preparation of maps, and the оформление документов по границе, Armenian media reported.

The negotiations were held under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Ministers Shahin Mustafayev and Mher Grigoryan. The parties also discussed issues of mutual interest and cargo transit.

According to Azerbaijani and Armenian media outlets, the transit of Russian grain to Armenia through the territory of Azerbaijan continues, including several deliveries in March and April. Supplies of Azerbaijani petroleum products to Armenia are also reported.

Representatives of the business communities of the two sides discussed the development of trade and economic cooperation, mutual supplies, and transit transportation.

Assessment: Negotiations on the delimitation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia are continuing and are moving into a practical phase, with the parties agreeing on technical procedures and documents. At the same time, limited economic interaction is developing, including cargo transit through the territory of Azerbaijan to Armenia and individual supplies of goods. These processes are pragmatic in nature and are aimed at the gradual normalization of certain aspects of bilateral relations, despite ongoing political disagreements.

Regulation of imports: state interests versus consumer benefit

The Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, Shahin Baghirov, stated that the duty-free import limit for goods for personal use remains at the level of 300 United States dollars per month and will not be revised. Against this background, Azerbaijan appears less favorable compared to neighboring countries. Here the limit applies to the total monthly amount, whereas in a number of countries it applies to each individual parcel. For example, in Turkey it is 150 United States dollars per parcel, in Armenia 200 United States dollars, and in Uzbekistan 1000 United States dollars. This allows citizens of those countries to effectively order goods for larger total amounts per month without exceeding the limit per purchase.

In addition, according to the World Trade Organization, average import tariffs in Azerbaijan are significantly higher: approximately four times higher than in Georgia and 25 percent higher than in Armenia.

As a result, the combination of a stricter limit and higher tariffs makes conditions for consumers in Azerbaijan less favorable compared to neighboring states. Toplum.TV

Assessment: Azerbaijan applies a moderately restrictive model, providing a basic opportunity to save on foreign purchases, but significantly limiting active online shoppers and not allowing flexible distribution of orders.

Expansion of the powers of the State Customs Committee draws criticism

In Azerbaijan, amendments to the Customs Code are being considered, предусматривающие расширение полномочий Государственного таможенного комитета, including the possibility of restricting the right to leave the country for debtors on customs payments.

Thus, customs authorities will be able to apply to the court with a request for a temporary restriction on leaving the country for individuals and company executives who have debts to customs.

Economist Natig Jafarli, in his Facebook account, criticized the expansion of customs powers, while for a long time specialists have discussed the need to abandon the autonomous status of the State Customs Committee as a structure with a militarized character.

Assessment: The amendments expand the coercive powers of customs authorities and introduce travel restrictions as a tool for debt recovery. This may worsen the business climate and shift the system toward a punitive approach instead of economic solutions and reform of customs administration.

Exports remain the main source of income for AzerGold Closed Joint Stock Company

The state company AzerGold attracted 102.4 million manats into the economy of Azerbaijan from the sale of gold and silver in the first quarter, the company reported. Export revenue amounted to 91.1 million manats (plus 26 percent year on year), while domestic sales reached 11.3 million manats (plus 102 percent).

Over the period of its activity, the company ensured inflows into the economy totaling 2.04 billion manats and transferred 281 million manats to the state budget. At the end of 2025, AzerGold ranked twentieth among the largest taxpayers.

The number of employees and contractors of AzerGold in the Ganja-Dashkasan district reached 2595 people.

Assessment: Despite revenue growth, AzerGold’s results largely depend on favorable price conditions in global markets and maintain a high dependence on exports. Data on taxes and employment do not provide a full picture of the efficiency and sustainability of the business. Without disclosure of cost and profitability indicators, it is difficult to assess the company’s long-term sustainability.

From the Caspian coast to Karabakh: Sea Breeze projects in state tenders

Sea Breeze Construction Limited Liability Company won a tender for construction in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts.

According to the Unified Public Procurement Portal, the company will carry out construction and installation works in a residential quarter of the city of Gubadli. The contract value amounts to 34,412,372 manats and 80 gapiks.

Sea Breeze Construction is a subsidiary of Sea Breeze, founded in 2006 by Emin Agalarov. The Sea Breeze project initially began as a coastal complex with a hotel and beach area and currently represents a large-scale residential and recreational project.

Experts note that the distribution of large state projects among a limited number of interconnected business groups negatively affects the competitive environment. Meydan TV

Assessment: Even with formally correct tenders, the participation of companies associated with large business groups or public figures may raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and equal conditions for all participants.

The key importance here lies in the transparency of procedures, openness of competition, and the possibility of independent review of decisions.

Former military attaché sentenced to 6 years in gold smuggling case

Former lieutenant colonel of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Gahraman Mammadov was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment in a gold smuggling case, according to a decision of the Baku Military Court.

Mammadov, who worked as an assistant to the military attaché of Azerbaijan in the United States, was detained in November 2024 in Istanbul. According to the investigation, approximately 70 kilograms of gold bars worth more than 6 million United States dollars were found in his possession.

The investigation claims that the gold was transported by smuggling through several countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Case materials state that Mammadov used a diplomatic passport and did not declare the cargo upon entry into Turkey. The accused did not admit guilt.

Human rights defender Yalchin Imanov criticized the verdict, stating that there is inconsistency in judicial practice and possible discrimination, comparing it with harsher sentences handed down to journalists of Abzas Media.

Assessment: The situation with Mammadov creates an impression of vulnerability to corruption within public service and negatively affects the country’s international reputation, even if it concerns an isolated case.

The situation of press freedom in Azerbaijan in the assessment of Reporters Without Borders

Azerbaijan dropped to 171st place in the 2026 Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders, which became the worst result for the country in 25 years.

The organization classifies the country as having a “very serious situation”.

The organization also reports 25 imprisoned journalists in Azerbaijan. The authorities reject accusations of restricting press freedom.

Assessment: The report reflects a stable trend in the assessments of a number of international organizations, which regularly record problems with media freedom and political freedoms in Azerbaijan. At the same time, the authorities reject these assessments.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Azerbaijan assess the case of Anar Mammadli differently

The rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on political prisoners, Azadeh Rojhan, called on the authorities of Azerbaijan to immediately release human rights defender Anar Mammadli.

According to her, Mammadli, who was arrested two years ago, faces charges in response to his human rights activities and election monitoring.

Rojhan also stated that the current case raises questions about Azerbaijan’s compliance with its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

She called for the immediate release of Mammadli and a review of the charges.

Assessment: The situation surrounding Anar Mammadli is assessed differently: international structures consider his case politically motivated and related to human rights activities, while the Azerbaijani authorities insist on the criminal nature of the charges brought against him.

Overall Assessment

The media agenda for the period under review is shaped by a combination of moderately active post-conflict engagement, a strengthening regulatory role of the state in the economy, continued dependence on export-oriented resources, and growing attention to institutional resilience and international reputation. This reflects a model of controlled pragmatism, under which Azerbaijan seeks to simultaneously advance technical dialogue with Armenia, maintain macroeconomic stability, and reinforce internal administrative control amid persistent external and domestic constraints.

1. Post-conflict dynamics and functionalization of dialogue. The continuation of contacts between Azerbaijan and Armenia within the framework of the state border delimitation commission indicates the preservation of a working channel of interaction. At the same time, the focus on the exchange of technical documents and procedures points to the limited nature of progress, where political decisions are deferred and engagement evolves in a pragmatic but restrained manner. The parallel development of transit and trade contacts confirms a trend toward cautious normalization without a strategic breakthrough.
2. Strengthening of the regulatory model in the economy. Discussions on tightening customs regulation, including restrictions on travel for debtors and the maintenance of strict import limits, reflect a shift toward a more controlled economic model. Such policies indicate a prioritization of fiscal discipline and administrative instruments over liberalization, which may increase pressure on the consumer sector and private business.
3. Export-resource resilience amid structural constraints. The growth in AzerGold indicators confirms the continued role of resource exports as a key source of revenue. However, the high dependence on external price conditions and limited transparency of financial indicators point to persistent structural risks and the absence of deep diversification.
4. Concentration of economic opportunities and competition risks. The allocation of large state contracts among a limited circle of companies signals a high degree of concentration of economic resources. This may constrain the development of a competitive environment and create risks related to perceptions of transparency and equal access to public projects.
5. Institutional sensitivity and law enforcement practices. High-profile criminal cases and discussions on expanding the powers of state bodies highlight the importance of the law enforcement environment as a factor of domestic stability and external perception. Criticism from certain experts and human rights advocates indicates ongoing concerns about the balance between control and legal safeguards.
6. Reputational risks and international assessment. The decline in international press freedom rankings and criticism from European institutions contribute to a persistent external narrative about challenges in the field of rights and freedoms. At the same time, the authorities’ response demonstrates a strategy of rejecting such assessments, widening the gap between internal and external interpretations.
7. Political and symbolic dimension of sporting success. The emphasis on national team achievements and criticism of European sports institutions reflects the use of sport as an instrument of national image-building and political-symbolic competition. This strengthens internal consolidation but may also contribute to growing tensions in perceptions among external partners.
8. Shift toward a model of managed adaptation. Overall, there is a consolidation of a model in which Azerbaijan combines limited progress in the post-conflict agenda, increased administrative regulation of the economy, and selective responses to institutional and reputational challenges. At the same time, structural reforms, expansion of competition, and institutional liberalization remain secondary to the priorities of stability and controlled development.

Final characterization of the current stage is adaptation through balancing between technical dialogue without political breakthrough and the persistence of conflict potential, between export resilience and structural dependence, between increased state control and the need for economic flexibility, as well as between internal manageability and external reputational constraints.