Azerbaijan and the era of bold decisions New horizons and a results-driven policy

The year 2025 can rightly be regarded as one of the most productive periods in Azerbaijan’s recent history, both in regional politics and in the broader international arena.

Through an active and multidimensional foreign policy, Azerbaijan has significantly strengthened its global standing, deepened ties with major powers such as the United States and China, and further consolidated its close partnership with Türkiye. In this context, the Washington agreements stand out as a major diplomatic achievement, reflecting Baku’s consistent efforts, since the post-conflict period, to promote peace and foster economic cooperation across the South Caucasus.

In 2025, President Ilham Aliyev undertook over 20 international visits, enhancing Azerbaijan’s profile on the world stage. Today, the country is recognised as a “middle power,” maintaining strategic partnerships and allied relations with 27 nations.

It is particularly noteworthy that Azerbaijan’s President recently addressed key aspects of the country’s foreign policy in an interview with local television, clearly outlining national priorities. In particular, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the strategic importance of Azerbaijan’s partnership with China.

“I believe that one of the events of great importance is our strategic partnership with China. Last year, during my state visit to China, a Joint Statement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed, and this can also be considered a great success. Because China is one of the leading countries in the world, and this political framework, political platform, of course, can be viewed as evidence of our successful diplomacy,” the president said.

Indeed, in 2024–2025, Azerbaijan–China relations were elevated to the level of a strategic partnership, with 21 agreements signed and high-level visits actively taking place. Today, China is one of Azerbaijan’s main trading partners: in 2025, trade turnover exceeded $4 billion, while a visa waiver has strengthened interpersonal ties and boosted tourism between the two nations.

In addition to trade and economic cooperation, military collaboration between Azerbaijan and China also deserves special attention. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted this as a new direction in bilateral relations:

“[…] I cannot fail to mention a new area of cooperation—military-technical cooperation. It also began within the framework of the political agreements reached. This is a new area of interaction between China and Azerbaijan. Part of this cooperation was demonstrated at the military parade, but this is only the beginning.

In this case, too, we are seeing tremendous mutual interest. Furthermore, not limiting ourselves to the acquisition of military equipment, we are working on establishing joint ventures, and work in this area has already begun. It is generally hidden from public view, as it should be, but this is also a serious political and strategic decision by both countries, and it also has great potential. I am confident that we will see both new contracts in the near future and the implementation of projects that are already underway.”

In 2025, Azerbaijan’s cooperation with China demonstrated its role as a key transit and logistics hub along the Middle Corridor. Furthermore, the creation of joint ventures and the development of military-technical collaboration have added a strategically important new dimension to the partnership.

In his interview, President Ilham Aliyev also highlighted Azerbaijan’s recent accession to the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation.

“We became a member of the D-8 organization. I also consider this to be a great achievement. Because this organization has been there for almost 30 years and has not accepted a new member ever since its inception. That is why its name is still D-8. The only new member has been Azerbaijan. Considering that this organization brings together the largest countries of the Muslim world, inviting Azerbaijan and choosing us, if it is possible to say so, can certainly be considered a great success. Suffice it to say that the total population of the countries united in this organization exceeds one billion people, and their total economy is in excess of four trillion. Azerbaijan cannot be considered a large country in terms of population or economy. Our official participation there is, of course, a sign of respect for us and the result of our independent policy. And we began active work there immediately,” President Aliyev stated.

The D-8 Organisation brings together eight Muslim-majority countries—Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Türkiye—to promote trade and economic collaboration. Notably, Türkiye, one of the organisation’s founders, actively supported Azerbaijan’s membership, viewing it as a step that strengthens both the organisation and economic ties within the Muslim world.

“Adding our fraternal Azerbaijan to the D-8 has strengthened the organization’s position,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following Azerbaijan’s admission.

Continuing its trajectory of international cooperation, Azerbaijan was recently elected as a full member of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia—an achievement President Ilham Aliyev highlighted as a major milestone in the country’s foreign policy.

“I do believe that this can also be considered a fairly rare occasion. Because, from a geographical point of view, of course, we are not in Central Asia, we are in the South Caucasus. However, we have such close relations with countries of Central Asia, both in bilateral and multilateral formats. So many projects have been implemented in recent years that these countries have unanimously elected us as a full member. We can also consider this a great political and diplomatic success,” the president stated.

By strengthening ties with Central Asian countries in 2025 through transport, energy, and political partnerships, Azerbaijan has become a key bridge between the region and the West. Strategic agreements, expanded cooperation formats, and intensified engagement in green energy and logistics initiatives further demonstrate this role.

These developments have enhanced Azerbaijan’s regional influence and global credibility. The scale of international events hosted in the country—including in territories liberated from Armenian occupation—clearly reflects this progress, as President Aliyev emphasised.

“International events have been held in our country. Among them, of course, I should mention the ECO Summit held in Khankendi. The main event was held there in Khankendi, but three forums were held on our initiative in other cities liberated from occupation – in Shusha, Lachin and Aghdam: the Business Forum, the Youth Forum, and the Women's Forum. In other words, we wanted the guests to see if not all, then at least a large part of the liberated lands, and we were ready for this. We were ready to receive nine heads of state and government in Khankendi, Aghdam and Shusha. The existing infrastructure, conference halls, hotels and other necessary factors have created these opportunities for us.

I should also specifically mention the Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States in Gabala. This was once again a Summit that reflected the unity of the Turkic world. As you know, informal summits have also been initiated by us. The first informal Summit was held in Shusha, the official summit in Gabala, and other countries are now continuing this tradition,” said the Azerbaijani leader.

At this point, it is worth highlighting President Ilham Aliyev’s initiative to hold joint military exercises among the member states of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS). Emphasising the importance of strengthening defence and security cooperation for peace and stability, the President noted that while bilateral exercises already take place, these multilateral manoeuvres will carry both symbolic and practical value, enhancing unity and the military capabilities of the Turkic states.

President Aliyev’s proposal aligns with existing bilateral military ties—particularly with Türkiye—while elevating Azerbaijan to a new level of multilateral cooperation. This initiative reflects key principles of Baku’s foreign policy and strengthens partnerships across the broader Turkic world, whose positions are increasingly recognised by leading global powers.

In summary, despite tectonic geopolitical shifts, Azerbaijan in 2026 will continue charting its own course, under a leader whose words are consistently matched by action, achieving the goals it has set.