Azerbaijan at the Crossroads of Regional Geopolitics:
- Conversation with Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan
In a wide-ranging discussion at the Geneva based United Nations Press Corps Association (ACANU) on the 4th December 2025, His Excellency Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments, offered a nuanced view of Azerbaijan’s evolving regional role and its relations with key international partners. Despite the complexity of the geopolitical environment, Amirbayov underscored that Azerbaijan’s foreign policy remains anchored in national interests, mutual respect, and pragmatic cooperation.
Russia–Azerbaijan Relations: Stability Amid Contradictions
Responding to a question about the current state of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan — often portrayed as unstable or contradictory in international media — Amirbayov emphasized that the bilateral relationship must be understood in its full historical and strategic context.
“Azerbaijan builds its relations with all partners based on its national interests and on mutual respect,” he said. “This applies fully to our relations with the Russian Federation, a strategic partner with whom we share a long and rich history at both state and societal levels.”
Even during periods of heightened tension — particularly following last year’s tragic incident that resulted in the loss of innocent lives — cooperation has not halted.
“As noted during the meeting between our leaders this past October in Dushanbe, economic and trade relations continued to develop. The dynamics remain positive,” Amirbayov explained. Legal frameworks governing cooperation across multiple sectors have provided continuity and stability.
He expressed confidence that the political momentum generated during the most recent high-level meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia would serve as a renewed impulse for deepening cooperation.
“We hope this momentum will allow us to further develop our relations for the benefit of both nations, grounded in mutual interests, our shared history, and today’s economic realities.”
The North–South Corridor: Azerbaijan’s Strategic Role
Turning to regional connectivity, Amirbayov highlighted Azerbaijan’s pivotal position at the crossroads of East and West, North and South — a geography that naturally places the country at the centre of regional transport and communication networks.
“Our location makes Azerbaijan a key state for strengthening the transit potential of the entire region,” he noted.
Asked specifically about Azerbaijan’s role in the development of the North–South transport corridor, he underlined the country’s active engagement with both the Russian Federation to the north and the Islamic Republic of Iran to the south.
“These projects fully align with the interests of all the countries involved and with the needs of our peoples,” he said. “We hope to see tangible results in the near future.”
Closing Remarks
At the conclusion of the exchange, warm thanks were extended to His Excellency Elchin Amirbayov for his time and insights, and to Ambassador Israfilov and his team for facilitating the meeting. The discussion highlighted Azerbaijan’s steady commitment to balanced, interest-based diplomacy — and its growing importance as a connective hub in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
MF
