BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 8. The contours of the
future development of Azerbaijani-Ukrainian relations were outlined
in Kyiv, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
He said that the official visit of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Jeyhun Bayramov to Kyiv is an indicator of a new stage in the
strategic partnership that has been formed in recent years.
According to the analyst, at a time when the war continues and
the European security architecture is being reshaped, this visit
attracted attention with both its political messages and practical
results. The meetings held in Kyiv once again showed that Baku and
Kyiv build their relations not only on historical friendship, but
also on long-term cooperation based on mutual interests. Thus, the
contours of the future development of Azerbaijani-Ukrainian
relations were outlined in Kyiv.
"One of the most important political events of the visit was the
reception of Jeyhun Bayramov by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr
Zelenskyy. During the meeting, the current state of strategic
partnership and prospects for its further development were
discussed. It was also emphasized that next year will mark the 35th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Azerbaijan and Ukraine. This is an important moment that shows that
the relations of the two countries are not accidental, but are
based on political trust formed over decades," he noted.
According to him, the main line of the negotiations held in Kyiv
was support for mutual sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"Azerbaijan once again declared its support for the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally
recognized borders. At the same time, Baku emphasized its support
for resolving all disputes through diplomatic means within the
framework of international law.
This position was met with the same principle by Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine has always
supported and will continue to support the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. In fact, it is this mutual
approach that is one of the main pillars of relations. Both
countries have faced serious challenges regarding territorial
integrity at different times and have demonstrated a unified
position based on the principles of international law," the analyst
said.
Garayaev pointed out that humanitarian cooperation held a
special place during the visit.
"Azerbaijan has been one of the countries providing humanitarian
assistance to Ukraine since the first days of the war, and this
policy continues today. So far, humanitarian assistance has been
provided to Ukraine for more than $50 million. This assistance was
not limited to food and medical supplies. With the support of
Azerbaijan, equipment for energy facilities was sent, contributions
were made to the restoration of destroyed civilian infrastructure,
and rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian children were
implemented.
Bayramov's visit to Irpin city as part of the visit also had a
symbolic meaning in this regard. Irpin, one of the cities most
devastated in the first months of the war, has today become one of
the symbols of Azerbaijani-Ukrainian humanitarian cooperation. With
the financial support of Azerbaijan, the lyceum named after
academician Zarifa Aliyeva and the city polyclinic have been
thoroughly restored there. There is a park, street, and lyceum
named after Zarifa Aliyeva in the city, and even the Azerbaijani
language is taught in the lyceum. Bayramov's acquaintance with
these facilities and his review of the project for the restoration
of the cultural center in the future were an indicator of
Azerbaijan's long-term approach to this cooperation, he said.
The analyst emphasized that the Ukrainian leadership also
particularly appreciated this support.
"President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assessed Bayramov's visit to
start from Irpin as an example of solidarity with the Ukrainian
people and expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, the
government and people of Azerbaijan for the assistance provided.
Andrii Sybiha also emphasized that Ukraine highly values
Azerbaijan's contribution to the restoration of energy
infrastructure, humanitarian projects and support for the civilian
population.
Energy issues were also one of the main directions of the
negotiations. In recent years, Azerbaijan's growing role in
Europe's energy security is no longer perceived as a strategic
factor not only by the countries of the region, but also by
European capitals. Special attention was paid to this issue in
Kyiv.
Sybiha clearly announced that Azerbaijan's role is of strategic
importance not only for Ukraine, but also for the energy security
of all of Europe.
Meanwhile, Bayramov remarked that Azerbaijan is ready to supply
gas to friendly Ukraine if necessary. At the same time, it was
reported that the possibilities of using Ukraine's vast underground
gas storage facilities are also being considered. These statements
show that energy cooperation has become not only a matter of trade,
but also of regional security and strategic stability," Garayev
said.
According to him, the expansion of economic relations also
played an important role in the negotiations.
"Despite the difficulties caused by the war, there is a renewed
growth in bilateral trade turnover. Specific plans were discussed
to intensify the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission on
Economic Cooperation, expand investment projects, and develop
transport, logistics, and business relations. The activities of
Azerbaijani companies in Ukraine were highly appreciated, and
interest was expressed in their more active participation in the
future recovery process.
The program of the visit wasn't limited to diplomatic
negotiations. Bayramov also held meetings with the head of the
Office of the President of Ukraine and the Secretary of the
National Security and Defense Council. Regional security,
geopolitical processes, energy security, and other issues of mutual
interest were discussed at these meetings. This shows that Baku and
Kyiv are developing relations not in separate areas, but in the
format of a complex strategic partnership," he said.
Garayev noted that the visit to Kyiv once again demonstrated
that relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine aren't determined
only by war or current geopolitical processes.
"These relations are based on mutual respect, adherence to
international law, humanitarian solidarity and long-term strategic
interests. That is why Jeyhun Bayramov's visit to Ukraine, along
with being a continuation of the dialogue between the two
countries, was remembered as an important political event that
determined the directions of future cooperation," the analyst
added.
