Azerbaijan emerging as key global player Article by EU Reporter
In October alone, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev took part in four summits across different regions and formats, underscoring Azerbaijan’s growing influence in global diplomacy. Aliyev has proven capable of asserting himself even in the presence of major world powers, as noted by EU Reporter.
On October 1–2, President Aliyev attended the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen, holding meetings and discussions with representatives of the EU and other European partner countries. Then, on October 6–7, he participated in the summit of the Organisation of Turkic States in Gabala, emphasising solidarity and unity within the Turkic world. On October 9–10, he took part in the CIS summit in Dushanbe. Finally, on Sunday, October 12, President Aliyev arrived in Egypt on a working visit to attend the Middle East Summit at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Azerbaijan’s influence is largely based on its strategically important location and its role as a major energy producer, enabling it to project both economic and political power at regional and international levels.
It can be argued that President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in four summits over just ten days reflects the multidimensional and multi-regional nature of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy — one that stems from its diverse geopolitical identity.
Azerbaijan moves closer to Europe: Energy cooperation
Azerbaijan has proven itself to be a reliable ally of Europe — a partnership reaffirmed once again in the first week of October.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Baku unexpectedly emerged as a key supplier of energy diversification for the EU. Azerbaijan ranks 28th in the world in oil and gas production and holds substantial reserves, making it an essential energy partner for Europe and a pivotal regional player. Europe remains the largest export market for Azerbaijani gas. At present, ten European countries — Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia and North Macedonia — eight of which are EU members, receive Azerbaijani gas. This positions Baku as a crucial contributor to Europe’s energy security.
Imports of Azerbaijani gas into the EU have grown significantly. Through the Southern Gas Corridor — which includes the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) — Azerbaijan plays a central role in Europe’s energy strategy. These pipelines deliver Caspian gas to Europe, helping reduce the continent’s dependence on Russian energy supplies.
On April 25 this year, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas visited Azerbaijan. In April alone, Azerbaijan hosted three high-level delegations from the European Union. On April 1, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid an official visit to Baku — a notable diplomatic event. It is also worth recalling that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Azerbaijan as a “reliable partner” of the EU when she signed a strategic partnership agreement with President Ilham Aliyev on July 18, 2022.
Last week, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held meetings with several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Council António Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, during the two-day European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen. The event concluded with a number of landmark developments for Azerbaijan. Alongside discussions on bilateral relations, there was also an exchange of views with EU leadership regarding ties between Azerbaijan and Europe.
The initiatives TASIC (Technical Assistance Programme), TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia), INOGATE (Interstate Oil and Gas Transport to Europe) and ECHO have contributed to strengthening cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.
Moreover, Hungary — an observer in the Organisation of Turkic States — is among Azerbaijan’s closest partners in Europe.
It is important to acknowledge that relations between the EU and Azerbaijan have not yet reached their full potential. As for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, if France follows the example of other European countries and strengthens its relations with Azerbaijan, Europe as a whole would benefit greatly from this.
Overall, relations between the two sides are multifaceted and hold significant geostrategic importance. While the EU remains a key partner for Azerbaijan, accounting for around 65% of its total foreign trade, Azerbaijan is of vital importance to the EU in terms of connectivity between Europe and Asia and as a reliable energy supplier.
Cooperation for advancing the energy transition
It can be said that Azerbaijan is becoming a country of climate diplomacy in the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijan is actively engaged in climate diplomacy, using its presidency of COP29 to position itself as a leader in climate finance and negotiations, particularly in supporting developing countries. Among its key initiatives are the “Baku-to-Belém Roadmap” aimed at increasing climate finance for developing nations, the establishment of “Baku Climate Action Week” as a regional hub for environmental dialogue, and the creation of a “Department of Climate Diplomacy” within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formalise its role in international negotiations.
According to the International Energy Agency, Azerbaijan has significant potential for the development of renewable energy. Moreover, the Azerbaijani government recognises that the use of renewable energy sources in electricity generation can help diversify the country’s energy mix.
It is important to note that the country possesses abundant solar and wind resources, as well as significant potential for the development of biomass, geothermal and hydropower. The government is actively promoting renewable energy and has set a goal to generate 30% of its total power capacity from renewable sources by 2030. Particular attention is being paid to the advancement of wind and solar energy.
In addition, Azerbaijan hosted the global climate summit COP29 last year.
It is also worth noting that in December 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania signed an agreement to construct a high-voltage undersea power cable across the Black Sea to transport renewable electricity generated by Azerbaijan’s future Caspian wind farms.
The Middle Corridor initiative
Thanks to its geographical location, Azerbaijan is an integral part of the Middle Corridor, which connects the landlocked regions of China and Central Asia with European markets via the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and Türkiye.
Situated at the strategic crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Azerbaijan maintains a balanced relationship with several regional powers, including Russia, Türkiye and Iran. In addition, the country enjoys excellent relations with all Central Asian nations.
As a key transit hub along the Middle Corridor linking Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan’s investments in railways, ports and logistics infrastructure have strengthened its role in regional trade and connectivity.
Due to its strategic position, Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in the transit of both fossil and renewable energy from Central Asia to Europe. Kazakh oil is a prominent example. In 2022, Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas signed an agreement for the annual transit of 1.5 million tonnes of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijani pipelines. Under a subsequent agreement concluded in March 2024, this volume was increased to 2.2 million tonnes, with plans to gradually expand the transport of Kazakh oil via Azerbaijan’s territory.
It is also important to highlight that in May 2024, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding to interconnect their power grids through a high-voltage transmission line under the Caspian Sea, to export renewable electricity to Europe.
Azerbaijan is also mentioned as a potential transit route for Turkmen gas to Europe
In 2025, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have drawn closer than ever, as evidenced by the visit of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Turkmenistan earlier this summer.
Azerbaijan: Brotherhood and close partnership with Central AsiaAs the visits of Presidents Mirziyoyev and Berdimuhamedov to Azerbaijan demonstrated, bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states are excellent and deeply rooted.
During the 12th Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States, held in Azerbaijan this year, cooperation among Turkic nations was further strengthened.
Azerbaijan–KazakhstanRelations with Azerbaijan are of great importance to Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated during the visit of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in March 2025.
In addition, on the sidelines of the Turkic States Summit, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held bilateral meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan also signed an agreement to establish a joint venture for pig iron production during the first Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025).
Azerbaijan–KyrgyzstanAzerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan have established an extensive legal framework, with more than 105 agreements signed to date.
In 2023, trade between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan totalled only $20 million. Azerbaijan exports petroleum products, chemicals and industrial equipment to Kyrgyzstan, while importing textiles, agricultural goods and metals in return.
To further strengthen cooperation, the two countries established the Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan Development Fund in 2022.
A major Azerbaijani investment is also being implemented in Kyrgyzstan — the construction of a modern five-star hotel on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Azerbaijan–UzbekistanDuring President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Uzbekistan on August 22–23, 2024, the leaders of the two countries elevated their relations from a strategic partnership to a full-fledged alliance. This historic step marked a new chapter not only in economic ties but also in cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
In the summer of 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to Azerbaijan at President Aliyev’s invitation. The two leaders held the second meeting of the High Intergovernmental Council, exchanged numerous bilateral documents, laid the foundation stone for the “Uzbekistan Park” in Baku, and inaugurated the new building of Uzbekistan’s embassy.
Over the past eight years, bilateral trade turnover has increased 7.8-fold, reaching $253 million in 2024. Uzbekistan’s exports to Azerbaijan rose 7.5 times to $208 million, while imports grew ninefold to $45 million. Today, more than 240 enterprises with Azerbaijani capital operate in Uzbekistan, while 70 Uzbek companies are active in Azerbaijan. Both countries aim to boost bilateral trade volume to $1 billion.
Azerbaijan–TurkmenistanOn July 16, 2025, Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, visited Azerbaijan at the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev. The visit marked an important milestone in strengthening Turkmen–Azerbaijani relations.
In recent years, ties between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have grown significantly stronger. Economic relations continue to develop steadily. In 2024, bilateral trade reached $383.7 million, and in the first months of 2025 alone, it already exceeded $118 million. Turkmenistan remains a key supplier of energy resources, chemical products and textiles, while Azerbaijan exports machinery, construction materials and food products to Turkmenistan.
During his recent visit to Baku, Berdimuhamedov stated that the purpose of his trip was to deepen and expand bilateral relations and accelerate the implementation of new joint projects.
Turkmen–Azerbaijani cooperation also intensified during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), which focused on addressing the specific challenges faced by such nations. The Azerbaijani delegation, led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, played an active and constructive role.
Azerbaijan is becoming an increasingly influential actor, as reflected in its growing power across the South Caucasus. The country’s military victory in 2020 fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of the region. This success has reinforced its regional authority while weakening Russia’s traditional role as the sole mediator in the South Caucasus.
It is also noteworthy that in 2028, Baku will host the European Political Community (EPC) summit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Azerbaijan is positioning itself as an indispensable partner for Europe, Asia, China and Central Asia. Since 2022, the country has been strengthening its energy ties with the European Union, while hosting the COP29 conference underscores its growing authority as a global leader in sustainable development and the transition to clean energy.
Moreover, Azerbaijan’s increasing diplomatic engagement across various regions — from Europe and the Middle East to Central Asia — highlights its transformation into a bridge between continents, cultures and political spheres. Its active involvement in climate diplomacy, cooperation on renewable energy, and regional integration through the Middle Corridor initiative demonstrates its capacity to help shape the global agenda.
In essence, Azerbaijan is not only redefining its geopolitical role but also positioning itself as a forward-looking nation that harmoniously combines energy, diplomacy and sustainability. Through strategic vision and pragmatic partnerships, it is steadily evolving from a regional power into a key global player whose influence is set to grow in the coming decade.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
editor@caliber.az
+994 55 444-88-98
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