The increasingly deepening relations between the European Union (EU) and Azerbaijan in recent years offer a foundation for strategic convergence across numerous areas, from energy security to transportation projects, from regional stability to digital transformation. Azerbaijan, one of the key countries in the South Caucasus with its geographical position, energy resources, and transportation routes, is evaluated by the EU not merely as a neighbor but also as a “critical partner” in the energy supply chain. In light of current data, it is evident that these relations constitute an important example not only economically but also geopolitically within the EU’s Eastern Neighborhood Policy.
Azerbaijan holds a critical role in ensuring the EU’s energy security. Caspian natural gas is being transported to Europe particularly through the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and TAP projects, which are important components of the Southern Gas Corridor.[1] This corridor carries strategic significance in terms of the EU’s access to non-Russian energy sources. The European Commission characterizes this route as “priority infrastructure that will enhance the EU’s energy security.[2] Following the Russia-Ukraine War, the EU’s relations with Azerbaijan have intensified further; with the “Strategic Partnership Declaration in the Energy Field” signed between the parties in July 2022, it was aimed to double Azerbaijan’s natural gas supply to the EU.[3] This development shows that relations are deepening on an energy basis in the short term.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan has become an important component of the Middle Corridor within the context of China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”.[4] The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Line is evaluated as an alternative and secure route between China and Europe. This situation also strengthens the EU’s interest in Azerbaijan beyond energy. These developments constitute a strong foundation for building a more balanced and multidimensional strategic partnership between the parties.
The transformation in regional balances following the 2020 Karabakh War has accelerated the process of redefining the EU’s role in the South Caucasus. Brussels aims to actively contribute to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The negotiations conducted under the mediation of European Council President Charles Michel stand out as important steps toward building confidence between the parties. The EU’s constructive role in this process becomes part of the long-term peace and stability objectives in the South Caucasus. Although its influence appears limited when compared to actors such as Russia and Turkey, the EU’s neutrality and stability-focused approach ensures that it is perceived by Azerbaijan as a balanced and reliable partner.
In light of these developments, Azerbaijan-EU relations are progressing in line with the strategic partnership perspective. The deepening cooperation in areas such as energy security, transportation routes, and regional peace strengthens the mutual interdependence between the parties. The EU’s constructive criticisms and sustained dialogue mechanisms contribute to the development of institutional cooperation. In this context, an increasingly harmonious foundation is being formed between the EU’s interest-based approach and Azerbaijan’s regional vision. The potential for these relations to transform into a more comprehensive and institutionalized strategic partnership in the future is strengthening.
In recent years, it has taken on a multi-layered structure shaped around the axes of energy, transportation, security, and normative issues. While the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which entered into force in 1999, forms the foundation of relations, the new comprehensive agreement negotiations that have been ongoing since 2017 reflect the parties’ effort to redefine cooperation according to current conditions.
Particularly with the energy memorandum signed in 2022, it was aimed for Azerbaijan to double its natural gas exports to the EU by 2027. While the strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) has increased further in this process, Azerbaijan has been positioned not only as a country providing energy supply but also as a key actor in energy security. As of 2025, the “Corridor Advisory” and “Green Energy Advisory” meetings held in Baku with the aim of expanding this route and integrating green energy transformation into the region have largely facilitated the completion of the feasibility phase of the “Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor” project.[5]
After the 2020 Karabakh War, the EU did not remain indifferent to the developments and intensified both its humanitarian aid and mediation efforts. The EU’s balanced approach toward the parties contributes both to ensuring regional stability and supporting the long-term peace vision.[6] These efforts show that Azerbaijan is in a constructive alignment quest with Europe in its relations not only in economic but also in normative areas. In the first half of 2025, significant progress was made toward a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with consensus reached on border determination and sovereignty issues.[7] In this process, the diplomatic contacts conducted under the mediation of EU Council President Charles Michel confirm Brussels’ role in the quest for stability in the South Caucasus. However, the short-term border violations that occurred in the Syunik region in June 2025 also demonstrate how fragile the permanent peace process is.[8]
In terms of trade and transportation, Azerbaijan has become an important part of the China-Central Asia-Europe corridor for the EU. While investments on the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor create a cooperation perspective in non-energy areas as well, geopolitically controversial projects such as the Zangezur Corridor are being carefully monitored by both regional actors and the EU. In this framework, there is a strategic convergence in Azerbaijan-EU relations through transportation and energy networks.[9]
The multidimensional relations established between the EU and Azerbaijan are following a positive course as of 2025 in terms of energy security, infrastructure connections, and regional peace processes. Particularly the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, the EU’s mediation role in post-Karabagh War peace initiatives, and green transformation-oriented projects strengthen the strategic ties established between the parties based on common interests. Although differences continue in areas such as democratic norms and political reforms, the will to deepen relations at the institutional level and the sustained diplomatic dialogue show that a transition to a more comprehensive partnership model is possible in the future. In this context, EU-Azerbaijan relations carry the potential to become one of the cooperation examples where the concept of strategic partnership finds concrete correspondence.
[1] “European Commission, Southern Gas Corridor: the Trans Adriatic Pipeline contributes to EU’s energy diversification goals”, EC Europa, https://ec.europa.eu/, (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
[2] Same location.
[3] Tasya Adelia Putri, Strategic Partnership: the European Union and Azerbaijan energy cooperation, Modern Diplomacy, https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/06/26/strategic-partnership-the-european-union-and-azerbaijan-energy-cooperation/ (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
[4] Konstantin Kladensky, The Azerbaijan-China Strategic Partnership: Opportunities and Challenges for the EU, https://chinaobservers.eu/the-azerbaijan-china-strategic-partnership-opportunities-and-challenges-for-the-eu/ (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
[5] European Commission, 3rd Green Energy Advisory Council Meeting, https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
[6] EU and Azerbaijan to resume negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement, https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/eu-and-azerbaijan-to-resume-negotiations-on-a-new-partnership-and-cooperation-agreement/ (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
[7] Felix Light & Nailia Bagirova, Armenia and Azerbaijan agree treaty terms to end almost 40 years of conflict, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/armenia-says-it-is-ready-sign-peace-agreement-with-azerbaijan-2025-03-13/ (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
[8] Felix Light, In Armenia, rising ceasefire violations bring fears of war with Azerbaijan, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/armenia-rising-ceasefire-violations-bring-fears-war-with-azerbaijan-2025-06-12/ (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
[9] Nazrin Abdul, Azerbaijan, EU to hold 3rd high-level energy dialogue in Brussels, https://www.azernews.az/business/243096.html (Date Accessed: 12.06.2025).
