Only in the first decade of October, President Ilham Aliyev participated in three different summits in three diverse geographies and formats. Azerbaijan is becoming an increasingly influential country in diplomatic terms. His recent exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin showed that he is capable of asserting himself even in the presence of major powers.
Aliyev participated on October 1–2 in the EPC Summit in Copenhagen, engaging in meetings and discussions with the EU and other European partner countries. Then, on October 6–7, he attended the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala, emphasizing solidarity and unity within the Turkic world. Subsequently, on October 9–10, he took part in the CIS Summit in Dushanbe. Finally, on Sunday, October 12, President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Egypt on a working visit to participate in the Middle East Peace Summit at the invitation of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Azerbaijan’s influence is largely based on its strategically vital location and its role as a major energy producer, allowing it to project both economic and political power regionally and beyond.
It can be affirmed that President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in three summits within just ten days is a manifestation of Azerbaijan’s multidimensional and multiregional foreign policy, derived from its diverse geopolitical identities.
Azerbaijan Getting Closer to Europe
Cooperation in Energy
Azerbaijan is a trustworthy ally for Europe. Indeed, during the first week of October, this partnership was once again reaffirmed.
“The energy sector holds an important place in the economic relations between Europe and Azerbaijan.”
Since the war in Ukraine, Baku has suddenly become a key provider of energy diversification for the EU. Azerbaijan is the world’s 28th-largest oil and gas producer and possesses significant oil and gas reserves, making it a vital energy partner for Europe and a key regional player. Europe remains Azerbaijan’s largest market for gas exports. Currently, ten European nations (Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, and North Macedonia)—eight of which are EU members—receive Azerbaijani gas, positioning Baku as a major contributor to Europe’s energy security.
EU imports of Azerbaijani gas have increased significantly, with deliveries projected to reach 20 billion cubic meters annually by 2022. In fact, Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in Europe’s energy strategy through the Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP). These pipelines transport Caspian gas to Europe, reducing the continent’s dependence on Russian energy.
On April 25 of this year, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, paid a visit to Azerbaijan. In April alone, Azerbaijan hosted three high-level visits from the European Union. On April 1, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Baku, marking a significant diplomatic engagement. It is also worth recalling that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called Azerbaijan a “reliable partner” of the EU when she signed the deal on the strategic partnership with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on July 18, 2022.
Last week, President Ilham Aliyev held meetings with several European leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, engaging in both political and economic consultations during the two-day European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen. The event concluded with a number of notable moments for Azerbaijan. Alongside discussions on bilateral relations, there was also an exchange of views with European Union leadership regarding Azerbaijan-Europe ties.
Photo credit: president.Az
The TASIC (Technical Assistance program), TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia), INOGATE (Interstate Oil and Gas Transportation to Europe), and ECHO initiatives have all contributed to strengthening cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.
Additionally, Hungary—an observer member of the Organization of Turkic States—is one of Azerbaijan’s closest partners in Europe.
It is important to recognize that EU–Azerbaijan relations have not yet reached their full potential. Regarding peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, if France follows the example of other European countries and strengthens its relations with Azerbaijan, Europe as a whole will benefit significantly.
In sum, the relationship between the two sides is multilayered and of wide geostrategic importance. While the EU remains a major partner for Azerbaijan, constituting about 65 percent of its total foreign trade, Azerbaijan is a critical country for the EU in terms of Europe-Asia connectivity and as a reliable energy supplier, as noted by Huseynov, V. (March 16, 2024).
Cooperation to Develop the Energy Transition
It can be said that Azerbaijan is becoming the country of climate diplomacy in the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijan is actively engaged in climate diplomacy, using its presidency of COP29 to position itself as a leader in climate finance and negotiations, especially regarding support for developing nations. Key initiatives include the “Baku to Belém Roadmap” to increase climate finance for developing countries, the establishment of the “Baku Climate Action Week” as a regional hub for environmental dialogue, and the creation of a “Climate Diplomacy Department” within its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formalize its role in international negotiations.
According to the International Energy Agency, Azerbaijan has strong potential for renewable energy development. Moreover, the Azerbaijani government recognizes that renewable energy in power generation can help diversify the country’s energy sources.
It is important to note that the country has excellent solar and wind resources and significant prospects for biomass, geothermal, and hydropower. The government is actively promoting renewable energy and aims for renewables to provide 30% of electricity-generating capacity by 2030. Special attention has been given to the development of wind and solar power capacity.
Furthermore, this year, Azerbaijan hosted the global climate summit COP29.
It is also worth mentioning that in December 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania signed an agreement to construct a high-voltage Black Sea submarine transmission cable to transport renewable electricity from Azerbaijan’s future Caspian wind farms.
Middle Corridor Initiative
Due to its geographical location, Azerbaijan constitutes an indispensable part of the so-called Middle Corridor, which links the landlocked regions of China and Central Asia to European markets via the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye.
Azerbaijan is a key partner along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, as noted by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in the second von der Leyen Commission.
Muradzada, I., et al. (2023) wrote in their academic research that “Azerbaijan has an important strategic position in providing alternative transportation routes to meet some of the EU countries’ needs for natural energy resources. Furthermore, the creation of the Europe–South Caucasus–Asia Transportation Corridor and the transportation of goods between Europe and Asian countries at low prices and in a reliable manner through this route via Azerbaijan made this strategic cooperation even more important.”
Located at a strategic crossroads between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Azerbaijan balances its relationships with several regional powers, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran. Furthermore, Azerbaijan maintains excellent relations with all Central Asian countries.
As a key transit hub on the Middle Corridor connecting Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan’s investments in railways, ports, and logistics infrastructure strengthen its role in regional trade and connectivity.
Due to its strategic location, Azerbaijan plays an essential role in transiting energy—whether fossil or green—from Central Asia to Europe. Kazakh oil is a clear example.
In 2022, Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company, KazMunayGas, signed an agreement for the annual transit of 1.5 million tons of Kazakh oil through Azeri pipelines; this was expanded to 2.2 million tons in a follow-up agreement in March 2024, with plans to gradually increase the volume of Kazakh oil transported through Azerbaijan.
It is also important to highlight that in May 2024, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on linking their power grids through a high-voltage transmission line on the Caspian seabed, aiming to enable renewable electricity exports to Europe (Zabanova, Y., November 5, 2024).
Azerbaijan has also been mentioned as a potential transit country for Turkmen gas deliveries to Europe. In 2025, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have become closer than ever, illustrated by the visit of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Azerbaijan and President Aliyev’s visit to Turkmenistan this summer.
Azerbaijan: From Brotherhood to Close Partnership with Central Asia
As seen during the visits of Mirziyoyev and Berdimuhamedov to Azerbaijan, bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries are excellent and deeply rooted.
During the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Azerbaijan this year, cooperation among Turkic nations was further intensified.
Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan
Relations with Azerbaijan are of great importance to Kazakhstan, as stated by President Tokayev during the visit of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in March 2025.
Moreover, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held bilateral meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on the sidelines of the Turkic States Summit.
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan also signed an agreement to establish a joint enterprise in iron production during the inaugural Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025), according to Kazinform.
Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan
Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan have established an extensive legal framework, with more than 105 agreements signed to date.
In 2023, trade volume between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan amounted to just $20 million. Azerbaijan exports oil products, chemicals, and industrial equipment to Kyrgyzstan, while Kyrgyzstan supplies textiles, agricultural products, and metals to Azerbaijan.
To further enhance cooperation, the two countries established the Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan Development Fund in 2022 (Oztarsu, M. F., October 4, 2024).
An important Azerbaijani investment in Kyrgyzstan is also underway—the construction of a modern five-star hotel on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan
During President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Uzbekistan on August 22–23, 2024, the two leaders elevated their relationship from a strategic partnership to a full alliance. This historic step marked a new stage not only in economic ties but also in cultural and humanitarian relations.
In summer 2024, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to Azerbaijan at President Aliyev’s invitation. The two leaders held the second Supreme Interstate Council meeting, exchanged numerous bilateral documents, laid the foundation stone for “Uzbekistan Park” in Baku, and inaugurated the new Uzbek embassy building there.
Over the past eight years, bilateral trade has grown 7.8 times, reaching $253 million in 2024. Uzbekistan’s exports to Azerbaijan rose 7.5 times to $208 million, while imports grew ninefold to $45 million. Today, over 240 Azerbaijani-capital companies operate in Uzbekistan, and 70 Uzbek companies are established in Azerbaijan. The two countries aim to raise bilateral trade to $1 billion.
Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan
On July 16, 2025, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, visited Azerbaijan following an invitation from President Ilham Aliyev. This visit marked a crucial milestone in strengthening Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations.
In recent years, ties between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have grown significantly stronger. Economic relations between the two countries continue to develop steadily. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached USD 383.7 million, and in the first months of 2025, it had already exceeded USD 118 million. Turkmenistan remains a key supplier of energy products, chemicals, and textiles, while Azerbaijan exports engineering goods, construction materials, and foodstuffs to Turkmenistan (Heybatov, July 18, 2025).
During his most recent visit to Baku, Berdimuhamedov stated that the purpose of the trip was to deepen and expand bilateral relations and accelerate the implementation of new joint projects.
Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations have also intensified during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) and the Trilateral Summit in Awaza, which focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by landlocked developing nations. The Azerbaijani delegation, led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, played an active and constructive role.
Azerbaijan: An Influential Country in Diplomacy
Azerbaijan is becoming an influential player, as demonstrated by its growing power in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s military victory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of the region. This success enhanced its regional authority and diminished Russia’s traditional role as the sole regional power broker.
It is also noteworthy that Baku will host the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in 2028.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Azerbaijan has positioned itself as an indispensable partner for Europe, Asia, China, and Central Asia alike. Since 2022, it has strengthened its energy ties with the European Union, while its hosting of COP29 underscores its rising profile as a global leader in sustainable development and clean energy transitions.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s increasing diplomatic activity across diverse regions—from Europe and the Middle East to Central Asia—demonstrates its emergence as a bridge between continents, cultures, and political spheres. Its proactive engagement in climate diplomacy, renewable energy cooperation, and regional integration through the Middle Corridor Initiative highlights its capacity to shape the global agenda.
In essence, Azerbaijan is not only redefining its geopolitical role but also positioning itself as a forward-looking nation that harmonizes energy, diplomacy, and sustainability. Through strategic vision and pragmatic partnerships, it is steadily transforming from a regional actor into a key global player whose influence will continue to expand in the coming decade.
Bibliography
Ambassade de France en Azerbaïdjan. (2022, March 2). Entretien téléphonique du Président de la République avec Ilham Aliyev. La France en Azerbaïdjan. https://az.ambafrance.org/Entretien-telephonique-du-President-de-la-Republique-avec-Ilham-Aliyev [az.ambafrance.org]
Eureflect, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan: Dynamic Partnership for the Future – https://eureflect.com
Eurasiafocus, Sommet trilatéral au Turkménistan
Heybatov, T. (2024, March 12). A new era of trade: How Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan transform economic ties. Caspian Post. https://caspianpost.com/analytics/a-new-era-of-trade-how-uzbekistan-and-turkmenistan-transform-economic-ties
Huseynov, V. (2025, 13 mai). Azerbaijan and the EU should seize the new momentum in bilateral relations. Commonspace.eu. https://www.commonspace.eu/opinion/azerbaijan-and-eu-should-seize-new-momentum-bilateral-relations [commonspace.eu]
Huseynov, V. (2024, 16 mars). Opinion: Azerbaijan is now a major contributor to Europe’s energy security. Commonspace.eu. https://www.commonspace.eu/opinion/opinion-azerbaijan-now-major-contributor-europes-energy-security [commonspace.eu]
Huseynow, R. (2017). Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan relations: current situation and prospects. Przegląd Politologiczny, (3), 139-160.
International Energy Agency. (2022). Implementing a long-term energy policy planning process for Azerbaijan: A roadmap. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/808a6169-en [searchwork…anford.edu]
Karimov, A. (2025, 10 octobre). EU reconsiders relations with Azerbaijan. Daily Sabah. https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/eu-reconsiders-relations-with-azerbaijan
Muradzada, I., Mammadli, E., & Akbulaev, N. (2023). European Union-Azerbaijan Relations within the Scope of Energy Security. Available at SSRN 4455646.
Nasibov, M. (2025, septembre 18). EU-Azerbaijan relations: From normative divergence to strategic convergence. REDEMOS. https://redemos.eu/2025/09/18/eu-azerbaijan-relations-from-normative-divergence-to-strategic-convergence/ [redemos.eu]
Zero Carbon Analytics. (2024, October). Azerbaijan’s climate policies dominated by gas export expansion plans. https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/energy/azerbaijans-climate-policies-dominated-by-gas-export-expansion-plans/ [zerocarbon…lytics.org]
Nurmaganbetova, Zh. (2025, 24 septembre). Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan set to launch joint iron production venture. Kazinform News Agency. https://qazinform.com/news/kazakhstan-and-azerbaijan-set-to-launch-joint-iron-production-venture-6a6747 [qazinform.com]
Oztarsu, M. F. (2024, 4 octobre). Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan: A strategic path to economic cooperation. Caspian Post. https://caspianpost.com/politics/azerbaijan-and-kyrgyzstan-a-strategic-path-to-economic-cooperation [caspianpost.com]
Shahin, U. (2025, 10 octobre). Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan: A strategic path to economic cooperation. Azernews. https://www.azernews.az/analysis/248345.html [azernews.az]
Zabanova, Y. (2024, 5 novembre). The EU and Azerbaijan as energy partners: Short-term benefits, uncertain future. Heinrich Böll Stiftung. https://www.boell.de/en/2024/11/05/eu-and-azerbaijan-energy-partners-short-term-benefits-uncertain-future [boell.de]
Zeynalova, L. (2025, 6 octobre). Azerbaijan – key partner along Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor – EU Commissioner Marta Kos. Trend News Agency. https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/4099528.html [trend.az]
Azerbaijan brings five-star flair to shores of Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul
COMMENTS