Azerbaijan’s foreign policy in recent years has accelerated the country’s transformation from a regional actor into a partner that is increasingly being taken into account on the international stage. One of the most important indicators of this process is Azerbaijan’s elevation of its strategic partnership relations with two of the world’s leading powers — the United States and China — to a new level.

 

Speaking at the 8th Congress of the New Azerbaijan Party, President Ilham Aliyev paid particular attention to this issue, emphasizing that Azerbaijan has moved to a strategic partnership format with both China and the United States.

“Two historic events have taken place recently. We have established strategic partnership relations with China and the United States. A declaration on a comprehensive strategic partnership has been signed with China, while a Strategic Charter has been signed with the United States. These are the two superpowers of the world; there is no third. It is also true that, naturally, issues are discussed between these countries and there is a certain degree of competition. The establishment of rules based on a common understanding between these countries could be a very important factor for the whole world. Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of both of these superpowers”.

Azerbaijan establishing strategic partnerships with the United States and China simultaneously is particularly noteworthy at a time of growing global geopolitical competition. Amid economic, technological and geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing, Azerbaijan’s ability to cooperate with both sides demonstrates the multi-vector nature of its foreign policy. Commenting on the issue, Member of Parliament Bahruz Maharramov said:

“You know that China and the United States are two of the world’s major poles of power. We can also name other countries. However, the successful foreign policy pursued by the President of Azerbaijan, together with the full establishment of economic and political stability at home, enables us to act independently. Ultimately, the fact that the word of the Azerbaijani leader is as valuable as his signature has resulted in a completely different attitude towards our country. Today, Azerbaijan has already become a power to be reckoned with on a global scale”.

Indeed, Azerbaijan’s successful diplomatic relations with countries representing different regions of the world, based on mutual interests, are an important indicator of its growing political influence. Baku is consistently developing political dialogue with leading countries in Europe, Central Asia and the Turkic world, the Middle East, Asia and other regions.

These relations cover a wide range of areas, including energy, transportation, the economy, security, defense, investment and humanitarian cooperation. Azerbaijan’s establishment of relations with various countries based on mutual trust and respect not only strengthens its position on international platforms, but also contributes to Baku’s emergence as one of the diplomatic centers with a voice in regional and global affairs.