Foreign relations of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Azerbaijan
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Azerbaijan is a member of the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, NATO's Partnership for Peace, Euro-Atlantic Partnership; World Health Organization, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Council of Europe, CFE Treaty, the Community of Democracies; the International Monetary Fund; and the World Bank.

Azerbaijan has formal involvement with senior ex-U.S. government officials including James Baker and Henry Kissinger as they serve on the Honorary Council of Advisors of the U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC). USACC is co-chaired by Tim Cejka, President of Exxon Mobil Corporation and Reza Vaziri, President of R.V. Investment Group and Chairman of the Anglo Asian Mining Plc (LSE Ticker: AAZ).

International organization participation

AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, United Nations, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Countries

Diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan currently has diplomatic relations with 160 countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the People's Republic of China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Republic of India, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Azerbaijan is one of the few countries with predominantly Muslim populations that shares a strategic alliance with Israel. Today, Israel is a major arms supplier to the country. (See Azerbaijan–Israel relations).

Azerbaijan also maintains good relations with the European Union, in the framework of its Eastern European Neighbourhood Policy (See Azerbaijan and the European Union).

Information on some of the countries with which Azerbaijan maintains formal relations

Europe

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Austria		Azerbaijan has an embassy in Vienna. Austria opened an embassy in Baku in 2010. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Belarus	01992-01-011992	See Azerbaijan–Belarus relations Before 1918, they were part of the Russian Empire and before 1991, they were part of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Minsk. Belarus has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Also Azerbaijan is a full member of the Council of Europe, Belarus is a candidate. Belarus is a full member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Azerbaijan is an observer member.
Belgium		Azerbaijan has an embassy in Brussels. Belgium has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Bulgaria	01992-06-055 June 1992	Azerbaijan has an embassy in Sofia. Bulgaria has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). Bulgaria recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on 14 January 1992.
Croatia	01995-01-2626 January 1995	Azerbaijan has an embassy in Zagreb Croatia is represented in Azerbaijan through a non-resident ambassador based in Baku (in the Foreign Ministry). Croatia is represented in Azerbaijan through its embassy in Ankara (Turkey). Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Azerbaijan
Czech Republic	01993-01-2929 January 1993	Azerbaijan has an embassy in Prague, opened on 15 August 2007. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The Czech Republic recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on 8 January 1992.
Denmark	01992-04-022 April 1992	See Azerbaijan-Denmark relations
Estonia	01992-04-2020 April 1992	See Azerbaijan-Estonia relations
France		Azerbaijan has an embassy in Paris. France has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Germany		Azerbaijan has an embassy in Berlin. Germany has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Greece	01992-01-011992	See Azerbaijan–Greece relations Greece recognized Azerbaijan's independence on 31 December 1991. The Greek embassy in Baku was opened in the spring of 1993. The embassy of Azerbaijan in Athens was opened in August 2004. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Greece
Ireland	1996	Azerbaijan is represented in Ireland through its embassy in London (United Kingdom). Ireland is represented in Azerbaijan through its embassy in Ankara (Turkey).
Italy		See Azerbaijan–Italy relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Rome. Italy has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Latvia	01994-01-1111 January 1994	Azerbaijan has an embassy in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Both countries were former republics of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan recognized the independence of Latvia on 30 August 1991. Latvia recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on 8 January 1992. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Azerbaijan
Lithuania	01995-11-2727 November 1995	Azerbaijan recognized the independence of Lithuania on 10 September 1991. Lithuania recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on 20 December 1991. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Cooperation with Azerbaijan Foreign Minister of Lithuania to pay official visit to Azerbaijan
Poland	01991-01-011991	See Azerbaijan-Poland relations
Romania	01992-06-2121 June 1992	See Azerbaijan–Romania relations
Russia	01992-04-044 April 1992	See Azerbaijan–Russia relations Russia has an embassy in Baku. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Moscow and consulate-general in Saint Petersburg. Azerbaijan also announced that it will open another consulate-general in Yekaterinburg.
Serbia		See Azerbaijan–Serbia relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Baku.
Sweden		Azerbaijan has a non-resident embassy in London. Sweden has an honorary in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Switzerland		See Azerbaijan–Switzerland relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Switzerland considers Azerbaijan an important country for economic development cooperation.
Ukraine	01919-01-011919	See Azerbaijan–Ukraine relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Kiev. Ukraine has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
United Kingdom	01918-01-011918	See Azerbaijan – United Kingdom relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in London. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Asia

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	1918–1921 Armenia and Azerbaijan do not have diplomatic relations today.	See Armenia–Azerbaijan relations, Nagorno-Karabakh War, Khojaly Massacre, Khachkar destruction in Nakhchivan The neighboring nations of Armenia and Azerbaijan have had formal governmental relations between 1918–1921, when both countries were briefly independent. The two nations have fought two wars in 1918–20 (Armenian–Azerbaijani War) and in 1988–94 (Nagorno-Karabakh War), in the past century, with last one ended with provisional cease fire agreement signed in Bishkek. There are no formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, because of the of the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and dispute. In 2008, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev declared, "Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent; the position is backed by international mediators as well; Armenia has to accept the reality," and "in 1918, Yerevan was granted to the Armenians. It was a great mistake. The khanate of Iravan was the Azeri territory, the Armenians were guests here." During the Soviet period, many Armenians and Azeris lived side by side in peace. However, when Mikhail Gorbachev introduced the policies of Glasnost and Perestroika, the majority of Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) of the Azerbaijan SSR began a movement to unify with the Armenian SSR. In 1988, the Armenians of Karabakh voted to secede and join Armenia. This, along with mutual massacres in Azerbaijan and Armenia resulted in the conflict that became known as the Nagorno-Karabakh War. The violence resulted in de facto Armenian control of former NKAO and seven surrounding Azerbaijani regions, which was effectively halted when both sides agrees to observe a cease-fire, which has been in effect since May 1994, and in late 1995 both also agreed to mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group. The Minsk Group is currently co-chaired by the U.S., France, and Russia and comprises Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and several Western European nations. Despite the cease fire, up to 40 clashes are reported along the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict lines of control each year.[citation needed] The two countries are still technically at war. Citizens of the Republic of Armenia, as well as citizens of any other country who are of Armenian descent, are forbidden entry to the Republic of Azerbaijan. If a person's passport shows any evidence of travel to Nagorno-Karabakh, they are forbidden entry to the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2008, in what became known as the 2008 Mardakert Skirmishes, Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed over Nagorno-Karabakh. The fighting between the two sides was brief, with few casualties on either side.
Cyprus	Azerbaijan formally recognizes the government of the Republic of Cyprus, as the sole representative of the island, but has not yet established diplomatic relations with Cyprus.	See Azerbaijan–Cyprus relations Azerbaijan, like all other countries except Turkey, formally recognizes the government of the Republic of Cyprus (with whom it has not yet established diplomatic relations), which under UN and EU law represents the entire island, but interestingly enough, the parliament of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic issued a resolution recognizing the Turkish Cypriot North (The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) as a sovereign state. While this recognition is not regarded by Azerbaijan and internationally as 'official state-to-state', Azerbaijan itself maintained cordial unofficial relations with the TRNC. In 2004, Azerbaijan threatened to formally recognize the TRNC if the Annan Plan was voted down by the Greek Cypriots (who rejected the plan in one of twin referendums held 24 April 2004 in both the Greek and Turkish zones simultaneously), but Azerbaijan backed off the threat when it was pointed out by Cyprus that doing so would be hypocritical, as a portion of its territory just like that of Cyprus itself is under occupation and would probably result in negative impact on its ongoing dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. Recently, in July 2005, Azerbaijan announced its intentions to recognize TRNC passports and to commence direct flights from Baku to Ercan Airport in the TRNC (by-passing both Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus); however, aside from a flight handled by the private company Imair in August 2005, none have taken place. Azerbaijan has become very cool towards the Turkish Cypriot North, due to tensions arising from the possible normalization of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Armenia, which Azerbaijan fears will mean the loss of key leverage in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Georgia	01918-01-011918	See Azerbaijan–Georgia relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tbilisi. Georgia has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
Iran	01918-01-011918	See Azerbaijan–Iran relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a consulate-general in Tabriz. Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in Nakhchivan City. Both countries are full members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Iran recognized Azerbaijan on 4 January 1992, upgraded its consulate in Baku to establish full diplomatic relations.
Israel	01991-01-011991	See Azerbaijan–Israel relations Azerbaijan is one of the few majority Muslim countries besides Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and the former Soviet Central Asian republics to develop bilateral strategic and economic relations with Israel.
Japan	01992-09-077 September 1992	Japan recognized Azerbaijan on 28 December 1991. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tokyo since 12 October 2005. Japan has an embassy in Baku since 21 January 2000. Azerbaijan is a full member of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Japan is an observer member of the CoE and a partner for co-operation of the OSCE.
Kazakhstan	01992-08-2727 August 1992	See Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Astana. Kazakhstan has an embassy in Baku since 16 December 1994.
United Arab Emirates	01992-09-011 September 1992
Pakistan	01992-01-011992	See Azerbaijan–Pakistan relations Pakistan was the second country to recognize Azerbaijan after Turkey. Pakistan is among the first countries to open an embassy in Baku. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Islamabad. Both countries are full members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Pakistan has accepted the Nagorno Karabagh region of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has also expressed its support for Pakistan's stand on Kashmir.
People's Republic of China		The PRC recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on 27 December 1992. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Beijing. The People's Republic of China has an embassy in Baku. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC: Relations with Azerbaijan
Turkey	01918-01-011918	See Azerbaijan–Turkey relations Turkey has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to consolidate its independence, preserve its territorial integrity and realize its economic potential arising from the rich natural resources of the Caspian Sea. All this however has recently come under threat due to tensions arising from the possible normalization of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Armenia, which Azerbaijan fears will mean the loss of key leverage in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Africa

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Burkina Faso	02004-05-3131 May 2004
Comoros	02010-02-022 February 2010
Eritrea	02004-01-012004
Kenya	02004-05-3131 May 2004
Malawi	02004-05-2121 May 2004
Rwanda	02004-05-3131 May 2004
Swaziland	02010-01-077 January 2010
Togo	02010-12-2929 December 2010

North and South America

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Canada	01992-01-011992	Azerbaijan has an embassy in Ottawa that opened in September 2004.
Dominican Republic	02007-01-012007
Grenada	02010-09-2323 September 2010
Mexico	01992-02-1010 February 1992	Azerbaijan has an embassy in Mexico City. Mexico is represented in Azerbaijan through its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Paraguay	02004-01-012004
Saint Lucia	02010-03-1111 March 2010
Trinidad and Tobago	02011-01-012011
United States	01919-01-011919	See Azerbaijan – United States relations On 25 December 1991 President George H. W. Bush announced that the United States recognized the independence of all 12 former Soviet republics, including Azerbaijan.

Oceania

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Fiji	02010-03-1919 March 2010
Marshall Islands	02010-03-1010 March 2010
Tuvalu	02009-09-1616 September 2009

No relations

Azerbaijan maintains diplomatic relations with 174 states (including Palestine and the Vatican City) and the European Union. Azerbaijan has not yet established diplomatic with:

• Bahamas, Barbados
• Cyprus, Armenia
• Nigeria, Central African Republic, Congo, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Sao Tome and Principe
• Palau, Micronesia, Federated States of, Kiribati, Niue, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea
• Sovereign Military Order of Malta
• the rest of states with limited recognition

Disputes

50th Anniversary UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The refugees under the Armenia aggression. and the tent small town are pictured on the souvenir sheet.

Nagorno-Karabakh/Armenia

See also: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding and very bitter separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government. Nagorno-Karabakh is a region within Azerbaijan. The current conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) began in 1988 when Armenian demonstrations against Azerbaijani rule broke out in both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Supreme Soviet voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia. Soon, violence broke out against ethnic Azeris in Armenia and ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan. In 1990, after violent episodes in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku and Sumgait, Moscow declared a state of emergency in Karabakh, sent troops to the region, and forcibly occupied Baku, killing over a hundred civilians. In April 1991, Azerbaijani militia and Soviet forces targeted Armenian paramilitaries operating in Karabakh. Moscow also deployed troops to Yerevan. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, conflict escalated into a full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Military action was heavily influenced by the Russian military, which inspired and manipulated the rivalry between the two neighbouring nations in order to keep both under control.

More than 30,000 people were killed in the fighting from 1992 to 1994. In May 1992, Armenian forces seized Shusha and Lachin (thereby linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia). By October 1993, Armenian forces succeeded in occupying almost all of former NKAO, Lachin and large areas in southwestern Azerbaijan. In 1993, the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions calling for the cessation of hostilities, unimpeded access for international humanitarian relief efforts, and the eventual deployment of a peacekeeping force in the region. Fighting continued, however, until May 1994 when Russia brokered a cease-fire.

Negotiations to resolve the conflict peacefully have been ongoing since 1992 under the aegis of the Minsk Group of the OSCE. The Minsk Group is currently co-chaired by Russia, France, and the United States and has representation from Turkey, the U.S., several European nations, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Despite the 1994 cease-fire, sporadic violations, sniper-fire, and landmine incidents continue to claim over 100 lives each year.^{[citation needed]}

Since 1997, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs have presented three proposals to serve as a framework for resolving the conflict. One side or the other rejected each of those proposals. Beginning in 1999, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia initiated a direct dialogue through a series of face-to-face meetings, often facilitated by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Most recently the OSCE sponsored a round of negotiations between the Presidents in Key West, Florida. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell launched the talks on 3 April 2001, and the negotiations continued with mediation by the U.S., Russia, and France until 6 April 2001. The Co-Chairs are continuing to work with the two Presidents in the hope of finding a lasting peace.

The two countries are still technically at war and the situation remains tense. It has often been referred to as a "frozen conflict".

Caspian Sea

Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined with Iran and Turkmenistan. Issues with Russia and Kazakhstan were settled in 2003.

See also

• Azerbaijan and the European Union
• List of diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan
• List of diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan
• Visa requirements for Azerbaijani citizens

Further reading

• Valiyev, Anar: "Azerbaijan and the North Caucasus: A Pragmatic Relationship" in the Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 27
• Hübner, Gerald: "Foreign Direct Investment in Azerbaijan—the Quality of Quantity" in the Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 28
• Abbasov, Shahin: "Azerbaijan's Eurovision Story: Great Chances to Improve, But No Political Will" in the Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 32
• Mazziotti, Marius; Sauerborn, Djan; Scianna, Bastian Matteo: "Multipolarity is key: Assessing Azerbaijan's foreign policy"[4]

References

• CIA World Factbook 2000 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website

External links

• U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan in Baku
• Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Washington
• Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan relations