Azerbaijan contributes substantially to NATO missions

The Malaysian Digest website has published an article  analysing Azerbaijan's foreign policy aspects, such as support to Ukraine, ties with the European Union, the United States, as well as the cooperation with NATO. Caliber.Az reprints the article.

Azerbaijan has been an active participant in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace program since 1994. In recent years, Azerbaijan has taken steps to further its integration into Euro-Atlantic structures by seeking membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Azerbaijan has made significant contributions to NATO-led operations, including the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and the Kosovo Force (KFOR). Azerbaijan has also been a key partner in the NATO-Russia Council and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. Azerbaijan’s membership in NATO would contribute to the stability and security of the Euro-Atlantic region. Azerbaijan would also be able to play a more active role in promoting Euro-Atlantic values and principles in its own region.

Azerbaijan is currently discussing whether to join the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). In terms of CSTO membership, it is unlikely that Azerbaijan will pursue accession to the Armenian NATO until it sees accession as critical to regaining control over Nagorno-Karabakh. Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine are the only three countries that supply weapons to the Caspian states. A 284-kilometer land border runs through the heart of the Caspian Sea between Azerbaijan and Russia. Azeri troops have served as NATO allies in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq, and Iraq. In the context of ensuring political pluralism in the region, Azerbaijan is a critical player, which allows it to avoid criticism from Washington and Brussels. The Caucasus is hoping to take advantage of the growing anxiety among Russia’s rulers about Armenia’s Velvet Revolution.

Azeri politicians have revived the possibility of CSTO membership and inflated their own expectations of progress. Azerbaijan sees Iran as a potential economic partner in the Caspian Sea as it strengthens its ties with the country. Azerbaijan is attempting to exploit tensions between Moscow and Armenia and to capitalize on the successes of the most recent Caspian Summit. Azerbaijan obstructs or sidelines any multilateral initiative that fails to achieve this goal. If the CSTO does not advance its top political priority, Azerbaijan will not remain a member of the organization.

In 2022, Azerbaijan will have diplomatic relations with 183 UN member states, the State of Palestine, and the Holy See. There is no diplomatic relationship between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Despite the fact that they have friendly and close relations, there are numerous disagreements, such as the first Nagorno-Karabakh war, the South Ossetian-Abkhazian conflict, and the Caspian Sea’s legal status.

The relationship between Azerbaijan and the United States is based on mutual respect and equality, as well as a long history of successful cooperation on energy security, peacekeeping operations, counterterrorism, and other issues.

Does Azerbaijan Support Ukraine?

Azerbaijan has not taken an official stance on the Ukrainian crisis, and has instead tried to remain neutral in the conflict. However, Azerbaijan does support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Since 1992, the two countries have worked together in a variety of fields to strengthen their relationship. Agricultural, transportation, and infrastructure, science and technology, culture, and tourism are other areas of concern. In 2016, Germany was Azerbaijan’s third largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a total of $28.28 billion. In addition, Germany has provided over a billion dollars in development aid to Azerbaijan since 1992. German support for Azerbaijan’s membership in the World Trade Organization has been critical in its accession process. In addition to fighting terrorism and organized crime, Germany and Azerbaijan have worked together in a variety of other areas. The close cooperation between Germany and Azerbaijan is a testament to their shared values and interests.

Will Azerbaijan Join EU?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it remains to be seen what the future holds for both the European Union and Azerbaijan. However, it is worth noting that Azerbaijan has been actively seeking closer ties with the EU in recent years, so it is not impossible that the country could one day join the bloc.

Will Azerbaijan Invade Armenia
The Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has been ongoing since the early 1990s. In September 2020, tensions between the two countries flared up again, with Azerbaijan launching a military offensive into the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of planning to invade its territory, and has called on the international community to intervene.

The United States has a strong and close relationship with Israel, owing in part to the shared history, values, and common interests of both countries. As one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, we are pleased to have been one of the first to do so, as our close relationship with Azerbaijan demonstrates our commitment to maintaining regional stability and security. A comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is still a top priority for the United States. We continue to support the two countries’ efforts to reach a negotiated settlement that addresses the full range of issues concerning the conflict, including Nagorno-Karabakh’s sovereignty and the rights of the people of Armenian and Azerbaijani descent. All parties must remain committed to this goal, and we urge them to take every necessary step to achieve it.

Azerbaijan-US Relations

Azerbaijan-US relations are strong and friendly. The United States supports Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding occupied territories.

The United States established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in 1992, shortly after the country gained independence from the Soviet Union. To promote European energy security, expand bilateral trade and investment, and combat terrorism and transnational threats, both countries collaborate. Azerbaijan is receiving assistance from the United States to assist it in dealing with security threats and increasing and diversify its economy. According to the U.S.-USSR Tax Treaty, Azerbaijan has been granted the right and obligations of the former USSR. Azerbaijani has received a Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefit from the program. There is an embassy in the United States of America in Washington, DC, at 2741 34th Street NW.

China and Azerbaijan have a close relationship, with a significant trade and investment relationship. Azerbaijan is a close ally of China, thanks in large part to the Chinese military’s assistance and training.
China and Azerbaijan have had a long history of fruitful cooperation. Azerbaijan has signed several trade agreements with China, its second-largest trading partner. The two countries are collaborating in a variety of fields, including tourism, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.
Despite their close ties, China and Azerbaijan are at risk of provoking each other. Because of domestic political interests on both sides, conflict can be precipitated by these factors. If failed mediation efforts do not succeed, ceasefire violations, tensions between the two countries, and the potential for a full-scale conflict, a conflict between the two countries is likely.

Does The US Fund Azerbaijan?

Foreign assistance from the United States (USG) promotes the peaceful and stable development of Azerbaijan’s society and economy by encouraging free and open exchange of information, democracy, diversified trade and investment, and regional stability and peace.

Eurasian NATO

There is no such thing as “eurasian nato.”

The CSTO’s sphere of influence should be a top priority for the Western world to address. In Moscow, Russia, a summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty took place. The events in Ukraine and the West’s subsequent response have rejuvenated the Russian-led security alliance established after the fall of the Soviet Union. It was the first time that the Collective Security and Trade Organization (CTSO)’s leaders met face to face since November 2019. They talked about bolstering military ties and biosecurity, and a joint statement was issued to lay out the CSTO’s assessment of the geopolitics. Several members of the body voiced concern about foreign countries’ tendency to intervene in international crises in an arbitrary manner. The Russian government’s assessment of the situation was greatly influenced by Secretary of State Victoria Nuland’s performance at the Valdai Club in Moscow.

The security bloc in the post-Soviet sphere is well worth pursuing in order to strengthen cooperation among its members. Furthermore, it justified a continued increase in military capabilities in order to ensure that it has a greater impact on the region. While Russia has not ruled out the possibility of expanding the CSTO through an open door policy, it has not ruled out new ways of cooperating with non-CSTO members. Western governments should recognize the Russia-led security bloc as a serious military, political, and defense organization capable of engaging in dangerous activities. Failure to do so may result in a tragedy that ripples far beyond the region’s borders.