Europe's awakening Experts discuss Azerbaijan’s growing importance 

The 6th summit of the European Political Community (EPC), held last week in the Albanian capital Tirana, marked yet another significant milestone in Azerbaijan’s modern diplomatic history.

Against the backdrop of mounting challenges facing Europe, President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in the event carried not merely symbolic, but strategic importance. The demonstrative attention shown to President Aliyev by European leaders — including those from traditionally reserved or even critical political circles — sent a clear message: Azerbaijan is no longer just a partner, but one of the pillars of the new architecture of European security and energy.

Particular attention should be paid to the reaction of figures such as French President Emmanuel Macron. Even he, along with other leaders, did not conceal his desire to emphasise the importance of relations with Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with European Council President António Costa, described Azerbaijan as "an important and reliable partner of the European Union", highlighting Baku’s significant role in supporting the EU during the energy crisis.

What are the real political dividends for Azerbaijan from its participation in the Tirana summit? Foreign experts shared their insights with a Caliber.Az correspondent.

Roman Gurevich, Honorary Ambassador of the World Jewish Agency "Sochnut," Israeli political analyst and journalist, emphasised that the attention given to President Ilham Aliyev in Tirana was a direct result of Baku’s long-standing and consistent foreign policy.

"The scene we witnessed in Tirana, where European leaders literally competed to approach Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, openly demonstrating their favour, is the outcome of a well-thought-out, consistent, and actively ongoing multi-vector policy that Azerbaijan has pursued for many years," he noted.

The expert reminded that Azerbaijan’s role as a key player in Europe’s energy security is no coincidence, but a logical result of the strategic course laid down by Heydar Aliyev and consistently implemented by President Ilham Aliyev.

“Azerbaijan has become one of the most important geopolitical crossroads on a global scale. It has turned into a country capable of building and maintaining partnerships between states where such cooperation might have seemed impossible.

For example, Israel and Azerbaijan enjoy excellent, almost brotherly relations. At the same time, Azerbaijan maintains and even develops ties with Iran. It also supports friendly and cooperative relations with Russia. The recent breakthrough in relations with China further confirms Baku’s diplomatic flexibility.

Despite numerous mistakes by various U.S. administrations, Azerbaijan has consistently and patiently built a dialogue with America as well. All this shows that Azerbaijan has become a key player in addressing global challenges,” Gurevich emphasised.

According to him, this is precisely why Azerbaijan is becoming a magnet for countries with opposing interests. This makes Baku a unique platform for dialogue.

“For China, Azerbaijan is another gateway to Europe. If we look at the situation in the Middle East, where the risk of conflict persists—whether between Israel and Syria or Israel and Türkiye—it is in Baku where the most important meetings and negotiations take place. Why? Because Azerbaijan is trusted,” the expert stated.

He also cited a conversation with former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, who once said, “If you ask me who could possibly be a mediator between Israel and Iran in the future, in my view, Azerbaijan could be the country suited for this.”

“And this statement speaks volumes. Geopolitically, Azerbaijan has already become a global hub for conflict resolution and the advancement of diplomatic solutions,” Gurevich noted.

He is confident that the demonstrative respect shown to President Aliyev in Tirana is no coincidence but the result of Baku’s long-standing diplomatic strategy.

“The more time passes, the more the international community will recognise and appreciate the role of Azerbaijan and the initiatives of President Ilham Aliyev. Not many countries can boast such a consistent foreign policy that simultaneously takes into account the interests of partners while strengthening their own statehood.

I would even say more: Azerbaijan knows how to care for its partners, while at the same time strengthening and developing itself, becoming a central element on the global map for addressing the most important global challenges.

As the saying goes: ‘A country with a wise leader and hardworking people will find prosperity and well-being.’

It is all quite natural. We see how Azerbaijan is gradually becoming one of the influential and respected centres of diplomatic power in the world,” he concluded.

In turn, Kazakh political analyst and economist Atbek Aitmatov noted that Azerbaijan demonstrates a model of strategically precise policy that even some EU leaders cannot boast of.

“Baku builds its geopolitical course with remarkable finesse, like a jeweller’s craftsmanship, carefully adjusting the balance of power, while even some European leaders lack the patience and foresight in this matter,” Aitmatov remarked.

In his view, Europe suffers from diplomatic inconsistency, and certain leaders are plagued by plain populism.

“We have seen how recently European leaders often play with words, making loud but fundamentally negative statements that later have to be corrected or softened.

Macron’s diplomatic blunders are perhaps the peak of this approach, and frankly, they are too notorious to even be considered as examples. But there are other European leaders whose logic and reasoning are equally shocking.

By contrast, the political course of Azerbaijan’s president contains none of these flaws; it is fundamentally based on mutual respect between partners,” he pointed out.

Aitmatov described Baku’s diplomatic style as an example of “Eastern charismatic flexibility,” where words are backed by actions.

“I would say that Azerbaijan demonstrates a remarkable example of precisely this kind of charismatic, Eastern diplomacy, where flexibility forms the basis of decisions. Everyone knows very well that the President of Azerbaijan does not make empty promises. When something is said, it will be done. This approach by Baku inspires trust and great respect. We saw the results of this attitude at the political leaders’ summit in Tirana,” Aitmatov concluded.