Azerbaijan: Foreign Relations

(asked on 21st May 2019) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to improve the diplomatic relationship between the UK and Azerbaijan.


Answered by
Alan Duncan Portrait
Alan Duncan
This question was answered on 30th May 2019

​The United Kingdom and the Republic of Azerbaijan have enjoyed a strong diplomatic relationship for over a quarter of century. Through regular political and economic dialogue we work together to increase cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Our annual strategic dialogue, which I last co-chaired in October 2018, provides opportunity for discussion of bilateral relations, multilateral issues and human rights.

Our regular UK-Azerbaijan Joint Intergovernmental Commission, which is co-chaired by the Minister of State for International Trade, was last held on 22 May. This is a forum for in-depth discussion of the UK and Azerbaijan's energy and trade relationship, and sets the agenda for future cooperation in new economic sectors.

We also strengthen bilateral relations through regular high-level visits, most significantly when the Prime Minister welcomed President Aliyev to the UK in April 2018. We have forged close partnerships in the educational, cultural and creative sectors. Every year we welcome new Chevening scholars from Azerbaijan to the UK, and thousands of Azerbaijani students have studied at UK universities.

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