The intensification of Azerbaijan’s political contacts with the European Union (EU) in recent times has drawn attention. The fact that some of President Ilham Aliyev’s bilateral meetings in Davos, Munich and most recently Dublin and other international platforms were organised at the request of the other side is also of particular significance in this regard.
At the same time, the consecutive visits by high-ranking European Union officials to Azerbaijan in 2025–2026 show that a new dynamic is emerging in the development of relations.
How do you assess the consecutive visits by high-ranking European Union officials to Azerbaijan and their interest in meetings with President Ilham Aliyev? What does the fact that some of the head of state’s bilateral meetings on international platforms were organised precisely at the request of the other side say about the Azerbaijani President’s international prestige and our country’s diplomatic weight?
Political commentator Ali Mustafayev, speaking to Globalinfo.az, said that Azerbaijan is increasingly recognised in the world and is consolidating its position in the system of international relations:
“Naturally, this process is taking place against the backdrop of the strengthening of the country’s sovereignty and the growth of state prestige. All of this is extremely important. But there is also an important point here: we have already taken our place on Europe’s political map. The European Union pays special attention to all three countries of the South Caucasus and for a long time has been encouraging them towards integration into Europe through various programmes and projects.
Georgia had achieved certain successes in this direction. However, with the strengthening of Russia’s influence on that country, the process stopped. At present, Armenia is also taking steps towards European integration. Georgia, meanwhile, is observed to be facing certain obstacles in this process.
Azerbaijan has its own distinctive model of cooperation with the European Union. Particularly in the field of energy carriers, oil and gas trade, Azerbaijan plays an important role in Europe’s energy security. Against the backdrop of a decline in Russian gas supplies and, at the same time, the rising cost of gas and fuel transported to Europe from other regions of the world, Azerbaijan’s hydrocarbon resources are of particular importance for the European market.
One of the important aspects of these relations is that the majority of European countries are interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan. Many EU member states are strategic partners of Azerbaijan. All of this, of course, stems both from Europe’s need for Azerbaijan and from the balanced foreign policy Azerbaijan pursues. This policy creates opportunities for further deepening our cooperation with those countries.”
Ali Mustafayev
According to Mustafayev, Azerbaijan’s participation in the meetings of the European Political Community, as well as the plan to hold such a meeting in our country, shows that official Baku takes a positive view of integration and rapprochement with European countries:
“I believe this is the right political and strategic line. Naturally, in all these processes the role of individuals and personal relationships is also important.
In any case, the visits by European Union officials to Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev’s visits to European countries and his participation in various international meetings serve to deepen our cooperation. At the same time, these ties are also extremely useful in terms of enhancing our country’s international prestige and ensuring its security interests.”
Safura Bannayeva
Globalinfo.az
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