Today, just three days after presenting my credentials to President Ilham Aliyev, I am delighted to meet with you here.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by British Ambassador to Azerbaijan Duncan Norman at a press conference held in Baku. He recalled that he first came to Azerbaijan in 1999.
"This important event was another confirmation of the strong partnership between Great Britain and Azerbaijan and the existing opportunities for future cooperation. Today I would like to share my thoughts on these opportunities with you. I first came to Azerbaijan in 1999 with my wife Kerry. At that time, Azerbaijan was very different from the country I saw when I returned this year to take on this important role. In early 2025, I was staying with a family in Ganja while learning Azerbaijani. The patience and generosity of this family, who welcomed me into their home and lives, taught me as much about this country as I could learn in any classroom. The Azerbaijan I see today is a dynamic, modern country with connections to the world in a way that was hard to imagine on my first visit. But one thing has not changed: the warmth and hospitality of the Azerbaijani people. I have come to Azerbaijan at a remarkable time in these relations. The United Kingdom values Azerbaijan as an important regional partner, and I am determined to ensure the development of this partnership."
The Ambassador said that there is a history of more than thirty years of cooperation between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan.
"These relations began in the energy sector. BP's pioneering investment contributed to the formation of Azerbaijan's modern economic history, and we continue to build on that solid foundation. But our partnership has gone far beyond energy. Today, the partnership includes defense, security, trade, education, innovation, and people-to-people ties that are deeply rooted on both sides. Azerbaijan is a valuable partner; there are close relations connecting the two countries and shared views on today's key challenges and opportunities. That is why our governments have agreed to elevate these relations to the level of Strategic Partnership. This step will ensure deeper cooperation in the areas of creating new economic growth opportunities, strengthening security, and promoting innovation, which are our common priorities. The United Kingdom and Azerbaijan are building a common future that provides real benefits for the peoples of both countries.
Ensuring economic growth is one of the priorities of the British government. Azerbaijan is an important economic partner for us. We support a new stage of economic cooperation by establishing deeper ties in trade, investment, and regional connections. This will benefit both the British and Azerbaijani people, as well as businesses, by creating a stable and prosperous economic environment for future generations," the ambassador said.
