In Azerbaijan's foreign policy, a number of countries hold a special place in terms of political, economic, energy, transport, and security. The scale of these relations can be measured not only by the number of diplomatic meetings but also by indicators such as trade turnover, energy projects, investments, military cooperation, joint exercises, education and cultural programs, as well as participation in regional transport routes. The nature of relations among Azerbaijan's main partners also differs. Some countries stand out for economic and energy ties, others for defense and security cooperation, and still others for transport, investment, technology, and humanitarian connections.
Furthermore, the embassies of these countries in Azerbaijan also play a role in the practical development of bilateral relations. Educational programs, student exchanges, cultural projects, business forums, technical assistance programs, military training, and professional development initiatives are the visible aspects of these relations at the societal level.
Turkey
Azerbaijan's relations with Turkey are a unique example in the world. The relations between the two countries are based on the principle of "two states, one nation." The Shusha Declaration, signed on June 15, 2021, elevated Baku-Ankara relations to the level of alliance. The document envisages expanding cooperation in defense and security, economy, transport, and other fields. In 2025, Azerbaijan-Turkey trade turnover was 5.72 billion dollars. Azerbaijan's exports to Turkey amounted to 3.38 billion dollars, while imports were 2.34 billion dollars. The parties aim to increase trade turnover to 15 billion dollars in the coming period. Concrete legal mechanisms for cooperation also exist in the military field. In 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening mutual military security between Azerbaijan and Turkey was approved. The document was signed on July 22, 2025, in Istanbul. The armies of the two countries have been conducting joint tactical exercises in various formats since 2013. In addition, defense industry, military education, and military-technical cooperation are also being developed. Turkey's importance for Azerbaijan also covers energy, defense industry, transport, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Middle Corridor, regional communications, and processes in the direction of Zangazur.
Turkey's diplomatic mission in Baku actively participates in expanding economic, educational, cultural, and humanitarian ties. The Azerbaijan-Turkey University, investment and business forums, education and cultural programs are among the visible examples of relations between the two countries at the societal level. One of the main directions of the embassy's activities is the promotion of Azerbaijan-Turkey economic relations and cooperation within the Turkic world.
USA
Our relations with the USA, a global superpower, are also very strong and at a high level. The United States is one of the important partners in terms of politics, security, energy, and regional transport. The agenda of Baku-Washington relations includes ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus, developing regional communications, energy security, combating terrorism, and defense cooperation. One of the most important recent steps in Azerbaijan-US relations is the signing of the Charter on Strategic Partnership. The document was signed on February 10, 2026, in Baku by President Ilham Aliyev and US Vice President J.D. Vance. The Charter identified regional connectivity, energy, trade, investment, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, security, and defense as key areas of cooperation. One of the important directions of the Charter is the Middle Corridor and the TRIPP project. The document envisages cooperation related to the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, strengthening energy and digital connections, facilitating trade and transit, as well as the TRIPP project, which provides connectivity between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan. The energy sector is also one of the main directions of relations. The Charter notes the expansion of cooperation in oil, gas, and electricity, interconnector projects, and diversification of energy supply routes. The document also envisages exploring opportunities for bringing critical minerals to world markets via the Middle Corridor. In the field of security and defense, directions such as the sale of defense products, anti-terrorism cooperation, cybersecurity, protection of critical infrastructure, and increasing humanitarian mine clearance capabilities have been identified. Economically, the US is one of Azerbaijan's main trading partners. According to the State Customs Committee, in 2025, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the US amounted to 1.557 billion dollars, and the US's share in the country's total foreign trade turnover was 3.15 percent. Thus, the importance of the US for Azerbaijan is not limited to trade indicators. The Strategic Partnership Charter, energy cooperation, the Middle Corridor and TRIPP, security and defense ties, as well as peace and regional communications in the South Caucasus constitute the main directions of Washington-Baku relations.
The US diplomatic activity in Azerbaijan covers a wide range from education and people-to-people relations to security cooperation. Education and academic exchange programs, English language initiatives, and various public diplomacy projects are among the main directions of US-Azerbaijan relations at the societal level. Within the framework of the Charter's implementation, the creation of working groups on economy and trade, energy, connectivity, artificial intelligence and digital development, security, and defense is envisaged.
Georgia
Georgia is one of Azerbaijan's most important partners in its access to Europe. A significant part of projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, the South Caucasus Pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, and the Middle Corridor passes through the territory of the two countries. In 2025, Azerbaijan-Georgia trade turnover amounted to approximately 0.9-1 billion dollars. In January-February 2026, the turnover reached 176.6 million dollars, increasing by 18.9 percent year-on-year. Although military cooperation is more limited compared to Turkey and Pakistan, Georgia is of particular importance in terms of security, border, protection of energy infrastructures, and the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia trilateral format.
Cultural diplomacy and people-to-people relations hold a special place in the activities of the Georgian Embassy in Baku. Music, art, culinary, and cultural programs are organized within the framework of Independence Day and other national events. In addition, the embassy also supports the development of political dialogue between the two countries in the fields of energy and transport.
Pakistan
Pakistan is one of Azerbaijan's closest defense partners. Meetings and exercises held in the trilateral Azerbaijan-Turkey-Pakistan format indicate that this cooperation has become a separate direction. The main directions are military exercises, defense industry, military education, and military-technical cooperation. One of the notable directions in Pakistan's defense cooperation with Azerbaijan is cooperation on the JF-17 platform. Trade between the two countries is smaller compared to defense cooperation.
In addition to defense and security, Pakistan's embassy in our country also focuses on the development of culture, education, information technologies, and inter-parliamentary relations. The development of the trilateral Azerbaijan-Turkey-Pakistan format is also one of the main directions of the diplomatic agenda.
Russia
Russia is an important country for Azerbaijan due to its geographical proximity, the scale of economic ties, and its position in the North Caucasus and Caspian region. In 2025, Azerbaijan-Russia trade turnover amounted to 4.92 billion dollars. Azerbaijan's exports to Russia were 1.184 billion dollars, and imports from Russia were 3.736 billion dollars. Russia remains the largest buyer of Azerbaijan's non-oil products. In 2025, the total volume of Russian investments in Azerbaijan was announced to exceed 10.5 billion dollars. More than 1,400 Russian companies were reported to be operating in the country. Although relations in the military field have become more complex compared to previous years, there is a long-term institutional basis for security and military ties with Russia. At the same time, a nearly 47 percent decrease in bilateral trade in the first quarter of 2026 indicates changes in economic dynamics.
Education, Russian language, culture, and humanitarian ties hold a special place in the activities of the Russian Embassy in Baku. Russian language teaching, cultural events, book and educational projects are among the main directions of long-term humanitarian ties between the two countries.
Iran
Iran is of particular importance for Azerbaijan due to its more than 765 kilometers of land border, connection with Nakhchivan, the North-South transport corridor, and its position in the Caspian region. In 2025, trade turnover between the two countries was approximately 636 million dollars. Iran's share in Azerbaijan's total foreign trade was 1.3 percent. Projects such as the Astara-Rasht railway and the North-South corridor are particularly important between the two countries. At the same time, relations are not limited to economic issues; border security, water, energy, and regional geopolitical processes are also on the agenda of Baku-Tehran relations.
The activities of the Iranian embassy are mainly based on diplomatic, consular, humanitarian, and cultural relations. Preserving historical and cultural ties between the peoples of the two countries, cultural events, and consular relations are among the main directions of this activity.
Italy
Italy is one of Azerbaijan's largest economic partners in Europe. It holds a leading position particularly in oil and gas exports. In 2025, trade turnover between the two countries was approximately 12 billion dollars. Azerbaijan is one of the important sources for Italy's oil and gas supply. In 2025, 9.5 billion cubic meters of the 25 billion cubic meters of gas exported by Azerbaijan went to Italy. One of the new directions of relations is the defense industry. Azerbaijani and Italian sides discussed issues of expanding military-technical cooperation, joint projects, and combining Italian technologies with Azerbaijani financial capabilities.
The Italian Embassy in Azerbaijan is currently implementing various programs in the field of education and culture. Italian government scholarship programs, the "Invest Your Talent in Italy" initiative, promotion of Italian language and culture, exhibitions, cinema, and other cultural events are among the main directions of this activity.
China
China is Azerbaijan's largest import source and is of particular importance for the development of the Middle Corridor. In 2025, China's share in Azerbaijan's foreign trade turnover was 9.9 percent, or approximately 4.84 billion dollars. China ranks first in Azerbaijan's imports. The strategic importance of relations with China is not only related to trade. Official Baku considers China as one of the main partners of the Middle Corridor connecting Central Asia and Europe. Transport, logistics, digital technologies, industry, and investment cooperation are also on the agenda. Although military cooperation is more limited compared to Turkey, Pakistan, and Israel, defense and security ties with China also exist.
The Chinese embassy in our country supports education, language, and cultural projects. The opening of a branch of the Confucius Institute of Azerbaijan University of Languages at the Baku Youth Center in 2025 is an example of this. The new branch envisages expanding language, education, and cultural exchanges between Azerbaijani and Chinese youth. Also, the Chinese embassy supported the organization of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese language competition held in Azerbaijan in 2025.
Germany
Germany is one of Azerbaijan's main economic partners in Europe. In January-November 2025, the trade turnover between the two countries was approximately 1.56 billion dollars: Azerbaijan's exports to Germany amounted to 921.8 million dollars, and imports from Germany were 636.3 million dollars. In 2024, trade volume with Germany was approximately 1.7 billion euros. Azerbaijan is among Germany's important oil suppliers. In 2026, the two countries also put on the agenda the expansion of cooperation in the field of security and defense industry.
Among the main platforms for relations with Germany in Azerbaijan, institutions such as DAAD, Goethe-Institut, German Reading Room, Kapellhaus, and GIZ hold a special place. These structures operate in the directions of education, German language, academic exchange, culture, and institutional cooperation.
United Kingdom
The special importance of the United Kingdom for Azerbaijan is primarily related to BP's activities in the energy sector. In addition, London is an important partner for Baku in the fields of finance, investment, and defense. In the 12-month period ending in the second quarter of 2025, the total trade volume of goods and services between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan was 911 million pounds sterling. A new stage has also begun in the field of defense. In December 2025, the British Defense Minister discussed opportunities for expanding the defense and security partnership between the two countries in Baku. Within the framework of the visit, a graduation ceremony for the "Train the Trainer" course was held at the Training and Education Center of the Azerbaijani Army with the participation of British and Czech instructors.
The activities of the United Kingdom in Azerbaijan cover education, defense, energy, and green economy. The Chevening program, British Council, inter-university cooperation, and joint education programs are an important part of this activity. In 2025, a joint master's program in renewable energy between Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and Warwick University was also presented as an example of British-Azerbaijani educational cooperation.
Israel
Israel is an important partner for Azerbaijan in terms of both energy and defense technologies. Azerbaijan plays an important role in Israel's energy security. At the same time, Israel is one of Azerbaijan's main defense technology suppliers. The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that the country's total defense exports reached a record 19.2 billion dollars in 2025. An open official annual figure for the total value of defense products purchased by Azerbaijan from Israel is not provided, but Azerbaijan is known as one of Israel's main defense product markets. According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 2022, trade turnover between the two countries was 1.72 billion dollars, and a large part of this was accounted for by Azerbaijan's energy exports to Israel. Other important directions of relations are regional security, combating terrorism, and the defense industry.
One of the notable directions of Israel's diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan is development cooperation through MASHAV. Programs in agriculture, water management, innovation, technology, and professional training are among the main examples of practical cooperation between the two countries.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is one of Azerbaijan's main partners in its access to Central Asia. The Middle Corridor across the Caspian, the Aktau port, and Trans-Caspian transportation are the main economic directions connecting the two countries. In 2025, Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan trade turnover was approximately 685 million dollars. Military cooperation is also developing. A bilateral cooperation plan between the defense ministries of the two countries for 2025 has been signed.
One of the concrete economic initiatives of the Kazakhstan embassy was the opening of the Kazakhstan Trade Pavilion in Baku on April 28, 2025. The pavilion was established in the Turkic Trade Center and aims to provide Kazakh companies with access to the Azerbaijani market, expand business ties, and increase trade between the two countries. The project was implemented directly by the Kazakhstan embassy in Azerbaijan.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has become one of Azerbaijan's fastest-growing partners in Central Asia in recent years. In 2025, Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan trade turnover was 795 million dollars, increasing more than threefold in one year. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan aim to reach 1 billion dollars in this indicator in the coming period. The defense ministries of the two countries signed a military cooperation plan for 2025. Joint exercises, military education, defense planning, and military-technical cooperation are on the agenda.
Uzbekistan's diplomatic mission in Baku participates in organizing expert and business platforms, in addition to expanding economic and cultural ties. The initiative to create Uzbekistan Park in Baku in 2025 was also one of the visible examples of humanitarian and cultural ties between the two countries.
United Arab Emirates
The main advantage of the UAE for Azerbaijan is related more to investment, logistics, energy, and financial opportunities than to trade. In 2025, a comprehensive economic partnership agreement was signed between Azerbaijan and the UAE and entered into force on April 15, 2026. The agreement covers trade, investment, digital economy, and supply chains. Cooperation in the defense sector is also expanding. In early 2026, the first meeting of the Joint Military Cooperation Committee was held between the two countries. During the same period, the "Peace Shield-2026" joint operational-tactical exercise was also held.
In relations with the UAE, in addition to the diplomatic activities of the embassy, large energy and investment projects implemented by UAE companies attract attention. Masdar's Garadagh Solar Power Plant and other renewable energy projects are among the main examples of this cooperation. It is more accurate to present these projects not as direct embassy projects, but as concrete results of Azerbaijan-UAE economic cooperation.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is an important partner for Azerbaijan in its relations with Gulf countries. The main directions are energy, investment, tourism, agriculture, and political cooperation. According to Azerbaijan's official statistics for 2025, trade turnover with Saudi Arabia was approximately 20 million dollars. Although this figure is low compared to other major trading partners, the country's importance is mainly related to investment opportunities and its political weight in the Gulf region.
The activities of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Baku are mainly focused on the development of political, economic, and humanitarian relations. Promoting investment and business ties, tourism, religious-humanitarian relations, and organizing mutual visits are among the main directions.
Qatar
Qatar is important for Azerbaijan in the Gulf region due to its energy and investment opportunities. Political dialogue, economic cooperation, and mutual investments are being developed between the two countries. Although the volume of trade turnover is limited compared to major trading partners, Qatar's importance is related to investment, energy, air transport, tourism, and diplomatic cooperation.
Qatar's diplomatic mission in Baku operates in the direction of promoting economic and investment ties, mutual business contacts, and political dialogue. In these relations, investment and economic diplomacy come to the forefront more than large state projects.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a notable partner for Azerbaijan in its relations with Europe, in the Black Sea region, and in regional security issues. In 2025, Azerbaijan-Ukraine trade turnover was approximately 489 million dollars. There are directions of agricultural, logistics, humanitarian cooperation, and energy between the two countries. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the importance of transport routes connecting the Black Sea and Caspian regions has also increased. Military cooperation mainly develops within the framework of defense experience, security, and military-technical ties.
Humanitarian diplomacy holds a special place in the activities of the Ukrainian embassy. Rehabilitation of children affected by the war, humanitarian issues, and promotion of Azerbaijan-Ukraine cooperation in the energy sector are among the main examples of this direction.
France
France is one of Azerbaijan's main political partners in the European Union, and is also important in terms of energy and large projects. In 2025, Azerbaijan-France trade turnover amounted to 415 million dollars. Azerbaijan's exports to France were 155.1 million dollars, and imports from France were 259.9 million dollars. TotalEnergies' activities in Azerbaijan and energy projects hold a special place in relations with France. Since 2025, steps have also been taken towards restoring political dialogue between Baku and Paris.
In the field of education and culture, the Azerbaijan-France University (UFAZ), Institut français, and various scientific and cultural programs are the main platforms. French language, higher education, scientific cooperation, culture, and art projects are the visible directions of the embassy's activities in Azerbaijan.
South Korea
South Korea is one of Azerbaijan's important partners in Asia in terms of technology, industry, transport, and investment. In 2025, trade turnover between the two countries was 317.8 million dollars. Azerbaijan's exports to Korea were 313.8 thousand dollars, and imports from Korea were 317.45 million dollars. The main cooperation directions are industry, technology, infrastructure, transport, and investment. Military cooperation has more potential for development in the direction of defense industry and technology.
One of the most concrete directions of South Korea's development cooperation in Azerbaijan is KOICA projects. A project covering 2025-2028 on water and food security, restoration of traditional kahriz systems, and climate resilience has been prepared. The project budget is stated as 5.51 million dollars. The Korean side has also implemented projects in Azerbaijan in the direction of digital education and technology.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is an important partner for Azerbaijan in terms of energy and transport cooperation in the Caspian Sea. The two countries cooperate particularly in the transportation of Caspian energy resources, ports, and within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. In 2025, Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan trade turnover amounted to 208.39 million dollars. Of this, 63.85 million dollars were Azerbaijan's exports, and 144.54 million dollars were imports. Turkmenistan's main importance is related more to its location on the eastern shore of the Caspian, its energy resources, and the opportunities it creates for the Middle Corridor, rather than the volume of trade.
The Turkmenistan embassy in Baku participates in organizing scientific, cultural, and humanitarian events. The common Turkic-cultural heritage of the two countries, Caspian cooperation, and the development of relations within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States are among the main directions of the embassy's activities. The initiative to build a mosque by Turkmenistan in Fuzuli is also one of the concrete examples of humanitarian ties between the two countries.
