EN
AZ
It is well known that since 2009, Azerbaijan has been cooperating with the EU within the framework of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) program in both bilateral and multilateral formats. More precisely, Azerbaijan is interested in developing relations with the European Union (EU) on the basis of equal partnership. Although the bilateral line of cooperation with the EU remains a priority, the multilateral platform of the EaP enables Azerbaijan to exchange views on issues of common interest, pursue its national interests in the context of regional policy, and put forward various initiatives in this direction. This platform plays a complementary supporting role to the bilateral cooperation agenda with the EU. The EU is Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner and also its largest export partner.
The development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union continues to be of significant importance. In this regard, the meeting held in Baku on March 11, 2026, between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, deserves special attention.
It should be noted that during the meeting, the parties particularly emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership between Azerbaijan and the European Union. It was stated that recent high-level meetings in such fields as security, energy, and transport have created positive momentum for the development of cooperation. The Presidents expressed their mutual will to expand political dialogue and further strengthen practical cooperation. It was also noted that this cooperation not only serves the common interests of the parties, but also makes an important contribution to the promotion of peace, stability, transport connectivity, and sustainable development in the Black Sea, South Caucasus, and Central Asia regions.
During the discussions, it was noted that relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union are developing on the basis of full respect for the UN Charter and the principles of international law. These relations are founded on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, mutual trust, equal cooperation, and mutual benefit.
The parties stressed the importance of concluding negotiations in the near future on a new and comprehensive bilateral agreement aimed at forming a solid legal framework that will serve the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. The Presidents stated that they remain committed to continuing cooperation in this direction. At the same time, the importance of adopting updated Azerbaijan–EU Partnership Priorities was noted, and the necessity of making more effective use of existing dialogue mechanisms, including the Azerbaijan–EU Cooperation Council, in order to advance the bilateral agenda in all areas was emphasized.
The leaders once again underlined as a shared strategic goal the formation of a South Caucasus free from dividing lines, where peace and stability are ensured, connectivity is strengthened, and progress is achieved. They positively assessed the recent favorable developments observed in the region, especially the historic progress achieved in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In this context, the results of the Washington Summit Meeting held on August 8, 2025, and the subsequent steps taken toward the normalization of relations between the two countries were also highly appreciated. The President of the European Council, for his part, once again expressed the European Union’s full support for the efforts of Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve lasting peace in the region through bilateral dialogue.
The Presidents emphasized Azerbaijan’s large-scale reconstruction and development efforts in the post-conflict period in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions. Noting the scale of the challenges, especially mine contamination, they stated that the European Union is a leading international donor in the field of humanitarian demining and called for increased international support.
During the meeting between President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President António Costa of the European Council, attention was also paid to the implementation of the document “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development,” which creates new opportunities for the expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union. It was stated that these opportunities particularly cover such priority areas as trade, transport and logistics, investment, economic resilience, and clean energy.
Within the framework of the talks, it was emphasized that Azerbaijan plays an important role in the regional transport system, particularly through the Middle Corridor, in strengthening transport, trade, energy, and digital connectivity between the Black Sea, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. It was also noted that the European Union remains committed to expanding cooperation in the field of transport within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative. In this regard, among other mechanisms, the support provided for the modernization of railway infrastructure in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the ongoing cooperation on the implementation of the TRIPP project were particularly highlighted. At the same time, the establishment of a High-Level Working Group on Economic Cooperation with the aim of expanding Azerbaijan–EU economic cooperation and investment opportunities within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative was assessed as a positive step.
The Presidents assessed Azerbaijan’s hosting of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, to be held in May 2026, as a significant contribution to global efforts in the field of sustainable urban planning and sustainable urban development, and expressed their readiness to use this forum to deepen Azerbaijan–EU cooperation in relevant areas.
During the meeting, the parties emphasized the benefits of closer cooperation in the fields of defense and security in order to prevent threats such as organized crime, terrorism, extremism, illicit trafficking in weapons and narcotic substances, money laundering, human trafficking, and irregular migration.
In addition, the Presidents noted the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of digital transformation and innovation. They acknowledged the growing importance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation in this field in order to boost innovation, economic resilience, and development, as well as to promote sustainable and growth-oriented digital ecosystems.
Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of people-to-people contacts, including increasing mutual visits. They welcomed the continued implementation of the Visa Facilitation Agreement with the aim of further easing mutual travel and expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in education, culture, youth, and research.
Finally, the leaders discussed key current geopolitical issues, including the recent developments in Iran and Ukraine.
Overall, President Ilham Aliyev’s aforementioned statement once again demonstrates Azerbaijan’s position as a reliable partner both regionally and globally. The policy pursued in such important areas as energy security, economic cooperation, renewable energy, and regional peace contributes to the further enhancement of Azerbaijan’s international standing. In this regard, António Costa’s visit to Azerbaijan and the discussions held may be regarded as an important milestone for the future development of strategic partnership between the two sides. These cooperation initiatives and mutual efforts strengthen Azerbaijan’s position in the international arena and create favorable conditions for the further deepening of its relations with partners. At the same time, our country’s sustainable development strategy and regional leadership role are recognized globally and contribute to the expansion of strategic partnership opportunities.
The development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union continues to be of significant importance. In this regard, the meeting held in Baku on March 11, 2026, between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, deserves special attention.
It should be noted that during the meeting, the parties particularly emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership between Azerbaijan and the European Union. It was stated that recent high-level meetings in such fields as security, energy, and transport have created positive momentum for the development of cooperation. The Presidents expressed their mutual will to expand political dialogue and further strengthen practical cooperation. It was also noted that this cooperation not only serves the common interests of the parties, but also makes an important contribution to the promotion of peace, stability, transport connectivity, and sustainable development in the Black Sea, South Caucasus, and Central Asia regions.
During the discussions, it was noted that relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union are developing on the basis of full respect for the UN Charter and the principles of international law. These relations are founded on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, mutual trust, equal cooperation, and mutual benefit.
The parties stressed the importance of concluding negotiations in the near future on a new and comprehensive bilateral agreement aimed at forming a solid legal framework that will serve the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. The Presidents stated that they remain committed to continuing cooperation in this direction. At the same time, the importance of adopting updated Azerbaijan–EU Partnership Priorities was noted, and the necessity of making more effective use of existing dialogue mechanisms, including the Azerbaijan–EU Cooperation Council, in order to advance the bilateral agenda in all areas was emphasized.
The leaders once again underlined as a shared strategic goal the formation of a South Caucasus free from dividing lines, where peace and stability are ensured, connectivity is strengthened, and progress is achieved. They positively assessed the recent favorable developments observed in the region, especially the historic progress achieved in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In this context, the results of the Washington Summit Meeting held on August 8, 2025, and the subsequent steps taken toward the normalization of relations between the two countries were also highly appreciated. The President of the European Council, for his part, once again expressed the European Union’s full support for the efforts of Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve lasting peace in the region through bilateral dialogue.
The Presidents emphasized Azerbaijan’s large-scale reconstruction and development efforts in the post-conflict period in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions. Noting the scale of the challenges, especially mine contamination, they stated that the European Union is a leading international donor in the field of humanitarian demining and called for increased international support.
During the meeting between President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President António Costa of the European Council, attention was also paid to the implementation of the document “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development,” which creates new opportunities for the expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union. It was stated that these opportunities particularly cover such priority areas as trade, transport and logistics, investment, economic resilience, and clean energy.
Within the framework of the talks, it was emphasized that Azerbaijan plays an important role in the regional transport system, particularly through the Middle Corridor, in strengthening transport, trade, energy, and digital connectivity between the Black Sea, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. It was also noted that the European Union remains committed to expanding cooperation in the field of transport within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative. In this regard, among other mechanisms, the support provided for the modernization of railway infrastructure in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the ongoing cooperation on the implementation of the TRIPP project were particularly highlighted. At the same time, the establishment of a High-Level Working Group on Economic Cooperation with the aim of expanding Azerbaijan–EU economic cooperation and investment opportunities within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative was assessed as a positive step.
The Presidents assessed Azerbaijan’s hosting of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, to be held in May 2026, as a significant contribution to global efforts in the field of sustainable urban planning and sustainable urban development, and expressed their readiness to use this forum to deepen Azerbaijan–EU cooperation in relevant areas.
During the meeting, the parties emphasized the benefits of closer cooperation in the fields of defense and security in order to prevent threats such as organized crime, terrorism, extremism, illicit trafficking in weapons and narcotic substances, money laundering, human trafficking, and irregular migration.
In addition, the Presidents noted the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of digital transformation and innovation. They acknowledged the growing importance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation in this field in order to boost innovation, economic resilience, and development, as well as to promote sustainable and growth-oriented digital ecosystems.
Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of people-to-people contacts, including increasing mutual visits. They welcomed the continued implementation of the Visa Facilitation Agreement with the aim of further easing mutual travel and expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in education, culture, youth, and research.
Finally, the leaders discussed key current geopolitical issues, including the recent developments in Iran and Ukraine.
Overall, President Ilham Aliyev’s aforementioned statement once again demonstrates Azerbaijan’s position as a reliable partner both regionally and globally. The policy pursued in such important areas as energy security, economic cooperation, renewable energy, and regional peace contributes to the further enhancement of Azerbaijan’s international standing. In this regard, António Costa’s visit to Azerbaijan and the discussions held may be regarded as an important milestone for the future development of strategic partnership between the two sides. These cooperation initiatives and mutual efforts strengthen Azerbaijan’s position in the international arena and create favorable conditions for the further deepening of its relations with partners. At the same time, our country’s sustainable development strategy and regional leadership role are recognized globally and contribute to the expansion of strategic partnership opportunities.
Elcan Mammadov
Head of the Press and Public Relations Department
Azerbaijan State Agricultural University
Head of the Press and Public Relations Department
Azerbaijan State Agricultural University