Ambassador: UK sees Azerbaijan as key regional partner

The United Kingdom considers Azerbaijan an important regional partner and is seeking to further strengthen bilateral ties, UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Duncan Norman said on August 21.

Speaking at a press conference, Norman said the UK was committed to expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan across a range of areas, including trade, investment, security, innovation and regional connectivity, Caliber.Az reports. 

“The Azerbaijan I see today is dynamic, modern and globally connected,” Norman said, adding that “The UK values Azerbaijan as an important regional partner, and I am determined to see that partnership grow."

He noted that the two countries have more than three decades of cooperation, initially driven by the energy sector and BP’s investment in Azerbaijan. He said bilateral relations had since expanded beyond energy to include defence, security, trade, education, innovation and people-to-people ties.

Norman said the decision by the two governments to elevate relations to a Strategic Partnership would support deeper cooperation in areas of shared interest, including economic growth, security and innovation.

“Together, the UK and Azerbaijan are building a shared future that delivers real benefits for Azerbaijanis and British people alike,” he said.

The ambassador said promoting economic growth was a priority for the UK government and described Azerbaijan as an important economic partner. He added that London was seeking closer ties with Baku in trade, investment and regional connectivity.

“We are working closely together to secure investment into the UK’s clean energy industry and to support Azerbaijan’s energy transition to utilise this country’s renewable potential,” Norman said.

He also highlighted opportunities beyond energy, saying British companies were active in several sectors and that the UK viewed Azerbaijan as a potential regional hub for transport, infrastructure, finance and data connectivity.

“Beyond energy, British companies are active across several other areas. We see Azerbaijan as the natural hub for connectivity on transport, infrastructure, finance and data in this region,” he said.

By Sabina Mammadli