Azerbaijan–United Kingdom relations

Azerbaijani–British relations

Azerbaijan	United Kingdom

Azerbaijani–British relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom. 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).

History

The history of Azerbaijani–British relations dates back to the British expedition, sent from Baghdad to Baku, to prevent Azerbaijan's valuable oilfields falling under the control of Germany and the Ottoman Empire. Nicknamed the Dunsterforce, it was commanded by General Lionel Dunsterville. The Dunsterforce arrived in Baku in August 1918.

After the Battle of Baku, the Dunsterforce withdrew to Persia in September 1918. The Dunsterforce returned to Baku after the Armistice of Mudros ended the conflict with the Ottoman Empire in November of 1918. The force administered the territory under martial law until 1920, when the Bolshevik advance made it impossible for them to stay.

During this time, de facto diplomatic relations existed between the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan and the British Empire through the British High Commissioner in the Caucasus, which located in Tbilisi.

See also

• Foreign relations of Azerbaijan
• Foreign relations of the United Kingdom

External links

• British embassy in Baku
• Azerbaijani embassy in London