Azerbaijan has a complex and dynamic foreign policy shaped by its geographic location, strategic interests, and historical ties. This country is situated at the center of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. One of the major players of South Caucasus, Azerbaijan has created the diplomatic ties with several international organizations as well as regional neighbors and the greats beyond. Energy resources, regional security dilemmas and attempts at the equilibrium in relationships with Russia, the West and neighbors constitute the main factors shaping its foreign policy.

Russia

Given their long history of collaboration and conflict, Russia plays a vital role in Azerbaijan’s international policy. Economic connections, energy alliances, and security cooperation define the typically stable relationship. The two countries work together in the oil and natural gas industries, making Azerbaijan a key ally in Russia’s energy policy. However, Azerbaijan tries to avoid becoming too reliant on Russia and upholds its independence and sovereignty, particularly in foreign affairs. The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, in which Russia has traditionally backed Armenia while serving as a mediator in peace talks, causes tensions on occasion.

Turkey

Known as a “one nation, two states” relationship, Azerbaijan and Turkey have a deep and strategic collaboration. Mutual support is the foundation of the two nations’ close cultural, linguistic, and historical links. In the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, Turkey has been an outspoken backer of Azerbaijan, offering both military and diplomatic assistance, particularly during the 2020 war, which saw an overwhelming Azerbaijani triumph. In return, Azerbaijan backs Turkey on regional issues including oil pipelines and counterterrorism initiatives. Both the growth of infrastructure projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and regional stability depend on their collaboration.

Iran

Although Azerbaijan and Iran have a long history of cooperation and shared cultural links, conflicts have often arisen because of regional and geopolitical factors. Additionally, Iran fears Azerbaijan’s participation in energy projects whose routes are bypassing Iran and its growing ties with the West, particularly with Turkey. However, both countries still keep their diplomatic relations, especially in transport and energy. Iran and Azerbaijan have cooperation in the fields of Caspian Sea, trade, and regional security-related issues. Even after some disputes, both countries have been dealing with each other; most of these disputes have been managed through communication and practical interaction.

United States

Azerbaijan and the United States have formed a solid political and trade relationship that is increasingly evident in energy, security, and counterterrorism. This country is crucial for its energy production, falling within the scope of the energy security of the United States. It has been significantly involved in the oil and gas deposit development of the Caspian Sea. Thus, the U.S. has stood up for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, primarily regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Furthermore, Azerbaijan is a very useful ally of America in anti-terror operations and for the stabilization of Central Asia. Cooperation has been a defining characteristic of the partnership, despite periodic strains brought on by problems with democracy, human rights, and regional wars.

EU 

Trade, energy, and political communication form the three pillars of the relationship between Azerbaijan and the EU. Thus, the significance of Azerbaijan among the energy-supplying EU partners has increased impressively, particularly considering the decreasing dependence on Russian energy within the EU. The Southern Gas Corridor-the real impetus behind Europe-Azerbaijan commercial relations-takes natural gas from the Shah Deniz field in Azerbaijan to Europe and strengthens the bilateral bond further. Similar to its approach with the EU on human rights, Azerbaijan incorporates a historical dimension of its political memory into human rights discourse, framing its national history within international political reasoning. Tensions and disputes have arisen in Azerbaijan’s relationship with the EU as a result of its internal political circumstances, worries about democratic freedoms, and refusal to accept EU criticism on human rights problems.

Relations with other regional powers

Transport, security and economic factors indeed form an important part of Azerbaijan’s foreign relations with other regional states, such as Georgia and Central Asian countries. Azerbaijan enjoys very strong relations with Georgia, especially in the fields of energy and infrastructural development. Amongst other cooperation, both countries include the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway in their efforts towards improved regional connectivity. Besides, Azerbaijan strengthens its relationship with Central Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, in trade, infrastructure development, and energy.

Relations with international organizations

Azerbaijan participates actively in a number of international organizations such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations (UN). It has especially used its membership in bringing about its national interests following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and regional security issues. Also, it is a full member of the Turkic Council, which aims at economic and cultural integration along with Kazakhstan, Turkey, and other Turkic-speaking nations.

You may also find these articles helpful

Exporting goods from Azerbaijan – full guide

Foreign diplomatic relations of Sierra Leone

Foreign diplomatic relations of Seychelles