Berliner Zeitung: Azerbaijan — key geostrategic, diplomatic hub

An insightful article published recently in the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung highlights Azerbaijan’s emergence as a significant geostrategic player over the past decade. The piece underscores how Baku has evolved beyond its traditional role as an oil and gas supplier to become a vital hub of international diplomacy, recognized by both the European Union and NATO as a “reliable partner.”

“Over the past decade, Baku has established itself as an important geostrategic player. It’s not just about oil and gas. Azerbaijan has become a hub of international diplomacy — even the EU and NATO refer to Baku as a ‘reliable partner,’” Caliber.Az quotes the article.

The author argues that Azerbaijan is striving to become a regional power: “Azerbaijan aims to become a regional power, similar to Poland in East Central Europe, Brazil in South America, or Indonesia in Southeast Asia. This is evident in its relations with the regional hegemons surrounding Azerbaijan.”

Azerbaijan’s unique geopolitical position as a bridge between East and West is also emphasised in the paper. 

“While Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Georgia have failed in their attempts to navigate between the EU and Russia, Baku seeks to be involved in all processes. Global events such as COP29, the Eurovision Song Contest, and the UEFA Euro 2020 demonstrate that the world needs Azerbaijan.[…] Today, Baku is roughly what Vienna was during the Cold War: a stage for diplomatic activity and a center of geopolitical interest,” it states.

Azerbaijan’s role as a key energy supplier for Germany and the entire EU is also underlined.

“With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the country [Azerbaijan — ed.] positioned itself as an alternative to Russia. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference [COP29], which took place in Baku last November, observers clearly saw that when it comes to energy issues, Azerbaijan is playing in the Champions League. This is the assessment of decision-makers in Western energy companies,” the article adds.

Furthermore, the piece highlights Azerbaijan’s recent military and political achievements, particularly the reclaiming of its ancestral territories in the Karabakh region, which has strengthened the country. 

“Now, Azerbaijan’s leadership will focus on maintaining long-term stability and seeking recognition in the public discourse of Western Europe and the United States. In this way, the country could become a model for many other developing economies that previously attracted little attention,” Berliner Zeitung concludes.