Azerbaijan’s foreign policy: priorities and realities

Independent foreign policy is a guarantor of sovereignty. This matter gains greater urgency in the face of rapid changes of global and regional picture. Objectives of the foreign policy ought to be clearly defined for skillful safeguarding of national interests. In the meantime, efficient and modern diplomatic mechanisms are to be applied for achieving the goals. In the process, priorities of the foreign policy play a guiding role.

Priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy are based on maximum consideration of state interests and specifics of modern geopolitical situation. Defined by the late President Heydar Aliyev, foreign policy priorities take into account the most sensitive aspects. Hindsight reaffirms that foreign policy course shaped by the national leader conforms to modern demands and possesses great prospects.

Presently, Azerbaijan’s domestic and foreign policy course serves as an example for regional states. The country develops dynamically in all areas, and its international prominence is ever growing. Successes achieved in the fields that conform to foreign policy priorities generally enable more dynamic diplomatic activity.

In this context, a need arises to constantly review the priorities of the foreign policy. Thus, diplomacy that briskly adapts to rapidly changing geopolitical environment plays a pivotal role. Azerbaijan’s foreign policy priorities are generally known. Here, considerable significance is attached to bilateral relations. In the meantime, bolstering of diplomatic activity within the international organizations is equally valuable. Nevertheless, at the present stage, resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict constitutes a fundamental task for the foreign policy.

Having occupied a part of Azerbaijan’s territory, Armenia seriously jeopardizes Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. Therefore, this matter has to see its immediate resolution. This aspect has been repeatedly emphasized by the President Ilham Aliyev, who has undertaken tremendous diplomatic steps towards restoration of country’s territorial integrity. Owing to his activity the international organizations recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. UN, OSCE, European Council, NATO, European Union, Organization of Islamic Cooperation among others had adopted respective decisions and resolutions. During past several years, the country has made significant gains to that end.

Notably, Azerbaijan was elected to the Security Council of the United Nations, made possible thanks to solid political-diplomatic engagement. Armenia had to withdraw unable to withstand the competition. 155 UN member states favored Azerbaijan. Another remarkable event was holding of a high level UN Security Council meeting on combating terrorism that took place in May 2012 under the chairmanship of the President of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is actively engaged within the Non-Aligned Movement. Contribution of those efforts to cementing of Azerbaijan’s geopolitical position is irrefutable. Azerbaijan’s economic ascend has drawn worldwide attention. The country was invited to G-20 Summit held in Mexico in February 2012. A month later Azerbaijan took part in Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea.

In the meantime, Azerbaijan regularly hosts various international events. As of 2011 Baku hosts annual "World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue". Azerbaijan has initiated such platform as "International Humanitarian Forum". Baku was named "Islamic Culture Capital" in 2009 and last but not least the capital city hosted "Eurovision" song contest in 2012.

Azerbaijan assuming the chairmanship in the Economic Cooperation Organization also deserves emphasis. Heads of states attending the most recent summit of the organization held in Baku spoke of the country’s achievements in domestic and foreign policy matters. Other countries conducting such comprehensive and efficient foreign policy in the South Caucasus are next to none.

Cooperation with international economic organizations, provisioning and execution of energy projects, performing as the transportation corridor between two continents are among other foreign policy priorities. Azerbaijan is the only country of the Caucasus to implement systematic programs throughout those areas.

Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP) attests to Baku’s capability to pursue independent energy policy. Azerbaijan stands ready to protect its interests with defiance and resolution. Harsh criticism from the head of state that ensued BP’s mistakes is a testament to Azerbaijan’s determination.

It is by provisioning new international energy projects that Azerbaijan showcases its capability to serve as a bridge of peace and cooperation between Europe and Asia. It underscores that Azerbaijan’s foreign policy extends substantial benefits for the regional cooperation. Realization of new energy projects is happening alongside Azerbaijan’s active diplomatic activity in the regional organizations.

Bolstering bilateral ties with the U.S., European countries, Russia, Turkey and Iran is central to the efforts aimed at the resolution of the Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Sound policies, conforming to national interests are conducted to that end. The key ingredient is the activity, fully consistent with Azerbaijan’s interests on every occasion, on the part of the country’s top leadership.

Azerbaijan cooperates with all countries based on equal rights. It is noteworthy that powerful states reckon with Azerbaijan’s just position. This portrays significant aspect in the foreign policy. In essence, Azerbaijan happens to be the only state in the South Caucasus to successfully conduct balanced, foreign policy. Baku skillfully accommodates regional interests of leading powers, thus gaining geopolitical dividends consistent with national interests. This aspect must be recognized as a key component of "agile alliances" strategy. Country’s leadership made significant achievements in this regard in past 2 years.

Cooperation ties with the U.S. and Europe have reached new levels. Relations have deepened in energy and security areas. Testaments are the agreements reached during the visits of Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, to U.K. and France. European Union has once again recognized Azerbaijan’s distinctive role in combating international terrorism and ensuring energy security. EU has displayed its interest to pursue the next level bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan continues its active engagement with the organization through European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership format. In this context, events held in Paris, dedicated to research and promotion of Azerbaijani culture, were of enormous value. Baku was also acknowledged as a worthy representative of the Islamic culture.

With regards to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Islamic Cooperation Organization and Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, diplomatic activity entered a new phase within the foreign policy of the country. Azerbaijan manages to adjust its activity within those institutions and European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Presently, Azerbaijan boasts 74 diplomatic missions abroad, including 55 embassies, 5 permanent missions at the international organizations, 9 general and 5 honorary consulates. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan hosts 53 embassies, 3 general consulates, 12 honorary consulates and 20 international organizations’ offices. Today, finding another country of the former post soviet space to conduct such systematic foreign policy would not be so easy. This was achieved owing to adept diplomatic activity.

Thus, it is by chance that Azerbaijan had only consolidated its activity vis-a-vis mischievous and sordid efforts of the Armenian lobby. Official recognition of Khojali genocide by the parliaments of Mexico, Colombia and Pakistan are among remarkable achievements of diplomacy and Azerbaijan is dedicated to further pursuit of the matter.

As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, one particularly significant aspect has to be emphasized, in terms of efficiency of foreign policy course. Essentially, Azerbaijan is the only country to pursue balanced political course in the realm of systematic or rather new geopolitical realities of such a perplex region as the South Caucasus. This has to be appreciated as a breakthrough in the diplomatic history of this region.

The given aspect of the foreign policy is significant in the context of trust and international recognition gained in this regard. Presently, crucial role in ensuring sovereignty belongs to coordination of the activity within regional organizations and global institutions. Azerbaijan has become a role model of regional state to conduct systematic and multidimensional foreign policy course.

It attests to the adeptness and visionary nature of the country’s foreign policy course. Great leader Heydar Aliyev had laid the foundations of the foreign policy envisaging modern realities. Today, this complex yet glorious mission that he had launched is successfully progressing.

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