with the European Union

Azerbaijan – European Union relations

Azerbaijan is interested in developing relations with the European Union (EU) based on an equal partnership. Since 2009, Azerbaijan has been cooperating with the EU in the framework of Eastern Partnership (EaP) programme in bilateral and multilateral formats. Azerbaijan attaches more importance to the bilateral track of cooperation with the EU in the EaP.

The EU is Azerbaijan’s biggest trading partner, and continues to be the biggest export market of Azerbaijan. It is top investor in Azerbaijan. EU is the largest investor in the country with more than 700 companies with European capital operating in Azerbaijan.    

Visits of Azerbaijani top officials in the last 5 years.

1. A celebratory dinner and high-level conference of the Heads of State of the Eastern Partnership countries dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership programme; 13 May 2019;

2. 6^th Summit of the Eastern Partnership states, 15 December 2021;

3. Trilateral meeting of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia under the initiative and with participation of H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, 6 April 2022;

4. Trilateral meeting of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia under the initiative and with participation of H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, 22 May 2022;

5. Trilateral meeting of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia under the initiative and with participation of H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, 31 August 2022;

6. Trilateral meeting of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia under the initiative and with participation of H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, 14 May 2023;

7. Trilateral meeting of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia under the initiative and with participation of H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, 15 July 2023;

Visits of the EU top officials in the last 5 years.

1. Working visit of H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, 9 July 2019;

2. Working visit of H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, 18 July 2021;

3. Working visit of H.E. Ms. Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, 18 July 2022;

Bilateral documents signed or adopted by the EU and Azerbaijan

Partnership And Cooperation Agreement (PCA)

The agreement was signed in Luxembourg on 22 April 1996 and entered into force on 1 July 1999. PCA establishes the legal framework for cooperation with the European Union (EU) in all areas except in the military field, and defines the format of cooperation. Though the agreement was concluded for an initial period of 10 years that expired in 2009 it is extended automatically on an annual basis;

Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union in the field of energy

The MoU was signed in Brussels on the 7th of November 2006. The parties emphasize the importance of ensuring the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of the countries in the region, with a view to eliminating threats and risks in strengthening the European energy security.

The document states that cooperation will be implemented in 4 areas:

• Harmonisation of national legislation with the EU legislation in the field of energy;
• Enhancing the safety and security of energy supplies and transit systems from Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea basin to the EU;
• Development of a comprehensive energy demand management policy on energy saving and climate change goals;
• Technical cooperation and exchange of experience.

Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on certain aspects of air services

Signed on 7 July 2009 in Strasbourg. This agreement allows any EU airline to operate flights between Azerbaijan and any EU Member State where it is established and where a bilateral agreement with Azerbaijan exists and traffic rights are available.  

Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor

The Joint Declaration was signed in Baku on the 13 January 2011. The document identifies  Azerbaijan as a substantial contributor to – and enabler of – the Southern Gas Corridor. The parties emphasize the delivery of existing natural gas resources from the Shah Deniz-2 and other fields of Azerbaijan to the European markets as a shared strategic goal.

Working Arrangement establishing operational cooperation between the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union

Signed on 16 April 2013 in Warsaw. It foresess cooperation in the field of illegal/irregular migration, countering cross-border crime, ensuring border security between the EU and Azerbaijan, as appropriate.   

Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) on a framework agreement on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in EU programmes

The protocol was signed in Baku on 14 June 2014. It entitles Azerbaijan to participate in all current and future EU programmes open for Azerbaijan.

Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements

Agreements between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the EU on visa facilitation and readmission of persons residing without authorisation were signed in Brussels on 29 November 2013 and 28 February 2014, respectively. Both agreements entered into force on the 1st of September 2014.

Joint Declaration on Mobility Partnership

Joint Declaration was signed in Brussels on 5 December 2013. It aims to facilitate the movement of people between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the EU, to better manage migration flows in accordance with the applicable international standards and to expand cooperation in combating illegal migration.

Partnership priorities

Following the revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the EU held talks with Azerbaijan on a new Partnership Priorities that replaced the ENP Action Plan. On 11 July 2018, a ceremony was held in Brussels with the participation of H.E. Mr.Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to mark the completion of negotiations on this document. Partnership Priorities was endorsed by the Recommendation of the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council dated 28 September 2018 also marking its entry into force.

Partnership Priorities include cooperation in the following areas.

1. Strengthening institutions and good governance
2. Economic development and market opportunities
3. Connectivity, energy efficiency, environment and climate activities
4. Mobility and people-to-people contacts

Parties express their intention to further strengthen their relationship, based on commitments to the respect of and support for the territorial integrity, inviolability of international borders of states, independence and sovereignty of each other.

Partnership Priorities was extended until 2024.

Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership in the field of energy between the European Union represented by the European Commission and the Republic of Azerbaijan

Signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Baku on 18 July 2022. The Memorandum includes a commitment to double the capacity of the Southern Gas Corridor to deliver at least 20 billion cubic metres to the EU, strengthening the cooperation in the field of renewables and reduction of methane emissions throughout the entire gas supply chain.

Bilateral documents under discussions

• New comprehensive agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan
• Common Aviation Area Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Azerbaijan, of the other part