The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has intensified diplomatic efforts during her ongoing tour of the South Caucasus, with a significant visit to Baku. Her discussions with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev focused on enhancing political relationships and advancing pivotal energy and connectivity initiatives, crucial amid global energy challenges.
Building a strategic partnership
Kallas’s visit to Baku followed her attendance at the EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan, highlighting the EU’s dual engagement strategy with both Armenia and Azerbaijan in their peace process. This ongoing diplomatic effort is indicative of the EU’s commitment to enhancing political and economic ties within the South Caucasus, a sentiment echoed by EU Council President Antonio Costa during his recent visit to Baku.
In her remarks, Kallas emphasized the importance of strengthening connectivity between the EU, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. She stated, “strengthening connectivity between the EU, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, is in our shared strategic interest and we are open to discuss a more structured partnership with Azerbaijan.” Additionally, she recognized Azerbaijan as “a valued and reliable energy partner for the European Union,” noting that discussions encompassed a comprehensive range of topics, including trade, transport, digital cooperation, and regional connectivity.
Focus on peace and regional cooperation
Kallas highlighted the potential for deepening cooperation, indicating that the EU is prepared to explore a “more structured partnership” with Azerbaijan. Furthermore, the importance of maintaining a transparent dialogue concerning human rights was underscored, with Kallas stating, “of course, open and candid dialogue on human rights remains an integral part of our engagement.”
Turning her attention to the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kallas remarked that this represents “a historic opportunity” that must be nurtured. She expressed the EU’s readiness to support this process through various means, such as confidence-building measures and demining efforts, where the EU already stands as the largest donor.
The foreign policy chief’s visit coincided with rising attention on Azerbaijan’s role in EU energy security, particularly in light of disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran. Political analyst Fuad Karimli noted that Kallas’s visit signifies Azerbaijan’s strategic importance as a reliable trade partner, especially given the instability in traditional corridors and its pivotal position in the Middle Corridor.
The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), connects China and Southeast Asia to Europe through a network involving Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. As a crucial transit hub for this route, Azerbaijan, following its peace agreement with Armenia, is poised to enhance its role in facilitating global market connections.
Moreover, analyst Zoltan Egeresi from Hungary emphasized that Kallas’s visit illustrates the EU’s ongoing commitment to the region and its peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He pointed out that Azerbaijan’s growing significance in EU strategic planning is evident as it becomes a vital partner in the South Caucasus and a gateway to Central Asia.
EU-Azerbaijan relations are structured through the 1999 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the Eastern Partnership framework, which aims to foster political dialogue and sectoral cooperation. Recent comments from European Council President Antonio Costa indicated that Brussels and Baku are developing a new framework for cooperation, aiming to expand their relationship beyond energy ties. Costa remarked, “This sends a strong signal of our joint vision for the future,” reinforcing that energy security remains a cornerstone of EU collaboration with Azerbaijan.