Azerbaijani president attends CIS Heads of State Council in Dushanbe UPDATED

The Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) held its meeting in Dushanbe on October 10, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in attendance.

15:42

On 10 October, an official reception was hosted in Dushanbe on behalf of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon in honour of the CIS heads of state.

According to AZERTAC, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

13:52

An expanded-format meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 10.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the summit, alongside other CIS leaders and officials.

The meeting featured addresses by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev, and Chair of the CIS Human Rights Commission and Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova.

Following the speeches, participants signed a number of final documents summarising the outcomes of the meeting.

As part of the official proceedings, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon was presented with the medal “For Merits in the Development of Humanitarian Cooperation."

13:15

An expanded meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council has kicked off in Dushanbe.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is participating in the event, Caliber.Az reports via the official presidential website.

12:46

On October 10, a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council was held in Dushanbe.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the event, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Emomali Sharipovich,

Dear colleagues,

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed President of Tajikistan, Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon, for his hospitality and for the excellent organization of our event.

I would like to congratulate fraternal Tajikistan on the successes and achievements attained under the leadership of its President.

Having visited Dushanbe on multiple occasions, I have observed how rapidly the country’s capital is developing, with new buildings being constructed. This brings us great joy as friends. I congratulate you on your achievements in urban development and am delighted to see Dushanbe becoming more beautiful year by year.

Today, I would also like to highlight the steady development of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. These relations are founded on brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support, and they hold significant potential for further growth.

At today’s meeting, I would like to address issues related to strengthening cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. I express my gratitude to the CIS heads of state for supporting the candidacy of the city of Lachin in Azerbaijan’s East Zangezur region as the Cultural Capital of the CIS for this year. In June of this year, Lachin hosted the opening ceremony of the “Year of the CIS Cultural Capital,” during which information about the history and cultural heritage of this ancient Azerbaijani land was presented. Guests of the event witnessed firsthand the rapid revival of Lachin following its liberation from 30 years of Armenian occupation. A city that was completely destroyed has, in just a few years, transformed into one of the most beautiful and livable cities.

Another significant event in the life of the Commonwealth was the 3rd CIS Games, held in Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8 of this year. The center of the Games was the ancient city of Ganja, the homeland of the great 12th-century Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi. In addition to Ganja, six other Azerbaijani cities—Gabala, Goygol, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Khankendi, and Sheki—welcomed over 1,600 athletes from 13 countries, including both CIS member states and guest nations. Such events strengthen friendship and cooperation within the CIS and beyond, fostering relationships based on equality, mutual interests, and respect.

Thank you for your attention.

President Emomali Rahmon: Thank you, Ilham Heydar oglu.

11:33

During a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in Dushanbe, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev underscored the importance of sports events in fostering international cooperation.

“Events like the CIS Games strengthen friendship and cooperation both within and beyond the Commonwealth,” President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech.

Referring to the 3rd CIS Games, held in Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8 in Ganja and six other cities — Gabala, Goygol, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Khankendi, and Sheki — the President emphasized: “Such events reinforce friendship and cooperation within the CIS and beyond, contributing to the strengthening of relations based on equality, consideration of mutual interests, and mutual respect.”

11:27

During a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the strengthening of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere and highlighted the development of Lachin.

The head of state noted: “At today’s meeting, I would like to touch upon enhancing cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. I express my gratitude to the heads of CIS states for supporting the candidacy of the city of Lachin in Azerbaijan’s East Zangezur region as the CIS Cultural Capital for this year.”

Emphasising that the opening ceremony of the “CIS Cultural Capital Year” took place in Lachin in June, President Ilham Aliyev stated that the event provided insights into the history and cultural heritage of this ancient Azerbaijani land.

“The guests of the event witnessed firsthand the rapid revival of Lachin following its liberation from 30 years of Armenian occupation,” he added.

11:23

Speaking at a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in Dushanbe, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev highlighted the steady development of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.

According to AZERTAC, the head of state said: “I would like to note the steady development of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. These relations are based on brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support, and they hold great potential for further growth.”

11:13

The narrow-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council is currently underway in Dushanbe.

President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, addressed the council during the session.

10:58

At this moment, the narrow-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council is taking place in Dushanbe.

According to AZERTAC, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is participating in the event.

10:56

Before the start of the CIS Heads of State Council meeting, a group photo was taken.

10:06

On October 10, in Dushanbe, a one-on-one meeting took place between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

According to Caliber.Az, the information was published on the official website of the Azerbaijani president.

10:01

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived at the Palace of the Nation in Dushanbe to participate in the narrow-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council.

According to AZERTAC, the Azerbaijani president was welcomed by President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

The meeting is also attended by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The meeting agenda includes 19 items. Among the key topics are: the concept of military cooperation among CIS member states until 2030, the establishment of the “CIS Plus” format, granting observer status at the CIS to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the development of cooperation in ensuring regional energy security.