What does Vance’s visit to Azerbaijan signal? Peace, dialogue, and partnership

The upcoming visit of United States Vice President J.D. Vance to Baku is an event that underscores Washington’s strategic interest in Azerbaijan in particular and in the South Caucasus region as a whole.

When outlining the main objectives of the US Vice President’s visit to Baku—which marks the first such visit in the history of US–Azerbaijani relations—it primarily serves as a further demonstration of support for the agreements reached in Washington on August 8, 2025 and a commitment to their practical implementation.

Secondly, Vance’s visit to Baku is a clear indication of the development of Azerbaijani–American relations, which, following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, have not only been revitalised but have also moved to a qualitatively new level. The warm personal relationship between the two heads of state deserves special attention in this process, as evidenced by a series of high-level meetings, which overall have had an exceptionally positive impact on bilateral ties.

It is worth recalling, in particular, that in October 2025, President Ilham Aliyev, at the personal invitation of Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, participated in the Middle East Peace Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. On the sidelines of this international forum, a meeting took place between the Presidents of the United States and Azerbaijan, during which Donald Trump personally welcomed the Azerbaijani leader. This event served as a clear demonstration of the high mutual respect between the leaders of the two countries and of the growing level of trust between Baku and Washington.

A similar atmosphere marked the meeting of the two leaders on January 22, 2026 in Davos, during which the President of Azerbaijan expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations following Donald Trump’s return to power.

Highlighting the historic role of the American president in achieving the agreements in Washington, Ilham Aliyev addressed the steps being taken to normalise relations between Baku and Yerevan. Noting that peace has already been established in the region, the Azerbaijani leader stated that this is also reflected in the development of trade relations between the two countries, citing in this context the export of oil products from Azerbaijan to Armenia and the delivery of imported grain to the neighbouring country through Azerbaijani territory. The head of state also drew attention to the significance of the Zangazur Corridor in advancing the TRIPP project, emphasising its importance for regional connectivity.

During the meeting, the value of the US-initiated Board of Peace was emphasised as an important institution for strengthening peace in the Middle East and contributing to the resolution of global conflicts. Azerbaijan’s invitation to join this body as a founding member was seen as a demonstration of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States, as well as evidence of the country’s role in promoting peace worldwide.

The Republic of Azerbaijan has officially become one of the founding members of the Board of Peace. President Ilham Aliyev participated in the ceremony for the signing of the organisation’s Charter on January 22, 2026 in Davos, reaffirming Baku’s commitment to contributing to international peace, security, and diplomatic cooperation. In doing so, Azerbaijan demonstrated its dedication to actively participating in addressing global security challenges.

In this context, it is particularly fitting to mention the congratulations of Betsy Berns Korn, Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which she conveyed today in Baku during her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev. She praised the successes achieved in Washington in advancing a peaceful agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Notably, Korn highlighted the leadership qualities of the Azerbaijani president on this matter, as well as the efforts of the US President.

During this meeting, Ilham Aliyev highlighted the role of the US President in achieving these outcomes, emphasising that Azerbaijan and Armenia are becoming accustomed to living in peace, and underlining that Azerbaijani–American relations have been successfully developing since Donald Trump returned to power.

Taken together, all these developments indicate that the visit of United States Vice President J.D. Vance to our country will be a highly significant event in the history of bilateral relations and will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening the Azerbaijani–American strategic partnership, including cooperation in the fields of economics and security.