Ambassador: Azerbaijan’s independent, balanced foreign policy driving national interests

In a recent interview with Diplomat Magazine, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mammad Ahmadzada highlights that Azerbaijan pursues an independent, balanced and pragmatic foreign policy based on national interests under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. 

Ahmadzada touched upon the country’s foreign policy priorities and their alignment with broader diplomatic objectives.

Addressing regional security, he outlined the core issues of the former Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the consequences of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, and matters related to the second Karabakh war and counterterrorism measures that led to the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. 

The ambassador also highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by landmines in the liberated territories and the efforts underway to rehabilitate these areas. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to establishing lasting peace in the region, the necessary steps Armenia must take, and the mutual benefits that peace would bring to all parties involved. The diplomat highlighted Azerbaijan’s energy strategy, which plays a vital role in Europe’s energy security. This strategy was initially laid out by Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev and is now successfully being implemented by President Ilham Aliyev. 

He emphasized key strategic projects involving the extraction and export of oil, gas, and alternative energy resources from Azerbaijan and the Caspian region. Over the past 30 years, he noted, Azerbaijan has twice “opened” the South Caucasus and Caspian region to international cooperation—first through energy initiatives and now through transport and logistics projects. The ambassador also spoke about Azerbaijan’s significant role in strengthening regional connectivity, particularly through the development of the East-West transport corridor, including the Middle Corridor. 

Ahmadzada noted that similarly, the successful hosting of COP29 in Baku reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s active role in climate diplomacy and its capacity to connect diverse actors around a shared global agenda. Both initiatives embody the essence of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy: responsible, pragmatic, and forward-looking. The diplomat emphasized that thanks to its geographic advantages, diplomatic agility, effective resource management, and economic and military capabilities, Azerbaijan has emerged as a regional power. 

He also noted that the country plays an active role in multilateral diplomacy, deepening international cooperation and promoting unifying rather than divisive approaches. In the interview, he also shared his views on the political, economic, and humanitarian dimensions of Azerbaijan-Netherlands relations. Ahmadzada noted that the full potential of these ties has yet to be realized. He emphasized that awareness in the Netherlands about Azerbaijan’s realities, its regional leadership, and its strategic importance in energy and logistics for Europe remains limited. Additionally, he pointed out that perceptions of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and its aftermath have been shaped by Armenian narratives and misinformation. 

Speaking about recent contacts at the level of foreign ministers and political consultations between the foreign ministries in Baku, the ambassador emphasized their importance in fostering mutual understanding and exploring new forms of cooperation. He also noted that during his tenure in the Netherlands, he has held numerous meetings with representatives from political, public, business, and academic circles, concluding that Azerbaijan and the Netherlands possess complementary strengths. The diplomat also said that both countries have the potential to build a strong and effective partnership by focusing on pragmatic, practical, and mutually beneficial cooperation. 

In closing the interview, the ambassador also addressed a question regarding the directions of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with NATO ahead of the upcoming alliance summit in The Hague.

By Naila Huseynova