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 NATO |  Azerbaijan |
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The relationship betweenAzerbaijan andNATO started in 1992 whenAzerbaijan joined the newly createdNorth Atlantic Cooperation Council. Considerable partnership betweenNATO andAzerbaijan dates back to 1994, when the latter joined thePartnership for Peace program.[1] Azerbaijan established a diplomatic mission toNATO in 1997 by a Presidential Decree on 21 November.
Azerbaijan regained its independence on October 18, 1991, after the collapse of theSoviet Union. It was a founding member of theCollective Security Treaty Organization, an alternative Russian-led military alliance, in 1994, but withdrew in 1999. PresidentIlham Aliyev has generally supportedneutrality since his rise to power in 2003.[2] Azerbaijan made its policy of not being aligned with a geopolitical/military structure official when it became a full member of theNon-Aligned Movement in 2011.
As with otherpost-soviet states,Azerbaijan joined the NATO-runNorth Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992 and signed thePartnership for Peace (PfP) Framework Document to develop security and defense cooperation withNATO on May 4, 1994.[3][4] A PfP Presentation Document was approved on April 19, 1996 by thePresident of Azerbaijan and submitted toJavier Solana, theSecretary General of NATO on April 23. Azerbaijan's first Individual Partnership Program was confirmed byNorth Atlantic Council on October 14, 1996. In November 1997,Azerbaijan joined thePfP Planning and Review Process to involveAzerbaijan more tightly in defense planning ofNATO operations.[5] Azerbaijan established a diplomatic Mission toNATO in 1997 by the Presidential Decree on 21 November.[5] A special Commission on Cooperation with NATO was established according to the decree of the President of Azerbaijan on 12 November 1997.[6]
NATO Political Committee discussedAzerbaijan's attendance in thePfP in "19+1" format on 12 May 1998.PfPSOFA and its Additional Protocol was signed byAzerbaijan on 15 November 1998. In September 1999EAPC ad hoc working group was formed to explore regional collaboration in theCaucasus.[6]
Azerbaijan became an associate member due to the decision ofNATO Parliamentary Assembly in November 2002, and joined NATO Operational Capabilities Concept in March 2004.[6] On 28 June 2004, at theIstanbul Summit,Caucasus region was discussed and member states decided to create the position of Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia.[7] On September 15, thefirst Special Representative of NATO's Secretary General for the Caucasus was appointed.[8] Azerbaijan hosted NATO military exercises and high-profile meetings in 2009.[9]
During the terms of office ofIlham Aliyev, collaboration betweenNATO andAzerbaijan was extended, as the latter joined theIndividual Partnership Action Plan in 2004. The president issued a decree to establish a Working Group on National Security Policy of Azerbaijan on September 17, 2004 with the aim of implementing reforms in security sector mentioned in theIPAP document. After Azerbaijan's firstIPAP was confirmed byNAC on 27 May 2005,Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on the execution ofIPAP on third of August. There was an agreement betweenNATO andAzerbaijan on the secondIPAP on March 7, 2008.[6]Azerbaijan has completedNATO-AzerbaijanIPAP documents for the first (2005-2007), second (2008-2010), third (2011-2013),[1] and the fourth period (2015-2016).[10]
Theconflict over Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia presented a major roadblock to Azerbaijani membership of NATO, with concerns that this would lead to stronger Russian support of Armenia in the dispute.[11] Member countries ofNATO supported Azerbaijan's territorial integrity under the Declarations issued at the meeting ofNAC held inRiga on 28–29 November 2006,[12] at theNATO/EAPC andISAF format Summits held inBucharest on 2–4 April 2008,[13] at theStrasbourg-Kehl Summit ofNATO held on 3–4 April 2009.[14] The2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh led to Azerbaijan regaining control of the territory, resolving the conflict.
ThePresident of Azerbaijan participated in the Meetings of Heads of States and Governments onAfghanistan during theNATO Summit in Chicago in 2012,[5][3] inWales in September 2014, and inWarsaw In July 2016.[5]
Azerbaijan participated inNATO-led peacekeeping and peace-support operations (KFOR) inKosovo in 1999-2008. Azerbaijan sent a unit composed of 34 servicemen (32 soldiers, a warrant officer, an officer) to Kosovo on the 1st of September 1999 and the contingent started to operate within the Turkish-led 4th Mechanized Infantry Company inDragas. Overall, 362 personnel fromAzerbaijan (345 soldiers, 7 warrant officers, 10 officers) served in the mission inKosovo.[10] Azerbaijani military officers completed their mission onKFOR on March 4, 2008 after political situation changed inKosovo.[5]
The military contingent ofAzerbaijan composed of 151 personnel (120 soldiers, 16 warrant officers, 15 officers) took part in the peacekeeping mission within the International Coalition Forces of Iraq from 15 August 2003 until 7 December 2008. Azerbaijani group was assigned to provide security of water reservoir andhydroelectric power station situated inHaditha.Azerbaijan pulled out its forces from Iraq on 7 December 2008, due to the withdrawal of Coalition Forces.[10][15]
Azerbaijan sent a military unit consisted of 22 servicemen to supportISAF operation inAfghanistan on November 15, 2002.Azerbaijan doubled the number of the unit according to the Decision adopted on October 2, 2008 byMilli Majlis. Since February 2009, Azerbaijani 90 personnel[1] served under the Turkish company led byISAF. Azerbaijani group was assigned to protect a television tower situated inKabul, provide security of central ammunition depot ofISAF and to fulfill patrol service.[10] Since 2015, 94 servicemen inAfghanistan supported a new "Resolute Support" non-combat mission ofNATO with the task to maintain the security ofKabul International Airport[10] afterISAF operation finished.[4]Azerbaijan increased the number of servicemen attending the "Resolute Support" mission from 94 to 120 by sending the peacekeepers toAfghanistan on January 9, 2018[16][17] based on the amendment to the Resolution "On giving consent to the deployment and participation in the relevant operations in Afghanistan of a platoon of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan as part of the battalion of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkey and under the general command of NATO structures" by theParliament of Azerbaijan dated 29 December 2017.[18]
ThePresident of AzerbaijanHeydar Aliyev visitedNATOHeadquarters inBrussels to presentPfP Presentation Document ofAzerbaijan to theSecretary General of NATO on April 23, 1996.NATO Secretary GeneralJavier Solana paid a visit toAzerbaijan on 13 February 1997. On his trip toBaku on 30 September-1 October 1998, Mr.Solana visited to Baku Senior Military School and Peacekeeping Unit of Azerbaijani Armed Forces.[5]
AdmiralGuido Venturoni, theChairman of the NATO Military Committee visitedAzerbaijan and discussedNATO-Azerbaijan military cooperation with authorities on 27–28 April 2000. Secretary GeneralGeorge Robertson visitedAzerbaijan on 16–17 January 2001 and held discussions with government officials besides the President of the country. Rafael Estrella, the President ofNATO PA paid a visit toAzerbaijan on 17–18 January 2002 according to the invitation of the Chairman of theMilli Majlis.[6]
Lord George Robertson visitedAzerbaijan in 2003 and took part in the inauguration of the Virtual Silk Highway Project on May 15. During his visit, Azerbaijan officially informed its intention to join theIPAP to theSecretary General of NATO.[5]
During the trip ofElmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan toBrussels on 6 July 2004, Azerbaijan's participation inIPAP was reviewed. Mr. Mammadyarov visitedNATO HQ inBrussels on May 2, 2007, on 17 September and 9 December 2008. He visited NATO HQ and took part inNAC+Azerbaijan meeting on July 15, 2009.[5] The firstIPAP document ofAzerbaijan was presented toNATO by the PresidentIlham Aliyev during his visit toBrussels on May 19, 2004.[6] In his next visit toBrussels (May 2006),I. Aliyev participated in the spring session ofNATO Parliamentary Assembly.Ilham Aliyev met with Secretary GeneralJaap de Hoop Scheffer during his trip to NATO Headquarters on November 8,[19] and on April 29 before the meeting ofNorth Atlantic Council.[20]Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomedI.Aliyev at NATO Headquarters in February 2012, and they discussed the possible future enhancement of cooperation betweenAzerbaijan andNATO.[21] As part of his working visit toBrussels in 2014, the PresidentAliyev met withNATO Secretary General and participated in the meeting ofNorth Atlantic Council.[22]
NATO delegation has paid reciprocal visit toBaku in the framework of its cooperation withAzerbaijan.NATO Secretaries-GeneralJaap de Hoop Scheffer (2004–2009),Anders Fogh Rasmussen (2009–2014) visitedAzerbaijan and held meetings with the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs ofAzerbaijan in November 2004,[5] and In September 2012 respectively.[4] Secretary General's Special Representatives (Robert Simmons (2004–2010),[23]James Appathurai) for the Caucasus and Central Asia paid visits toAzerbaijan in February and November 2005, April and October 2006, March and September 2007, June 2010, July 2011, February and July 2012, May 2013, July 2014, February 2016.[5]
José Lello, President of theNATO PA, visited Baku on March 5, 2008.[5] Deputy Secretary General of NATOClaudio Bisogniero visitedAzerbaijan on 16 December 2008 and met with high-level officials ofAzerbaijan to discuss the issues of common interest.[24]
In September 2017,Chairman of the NATO Military CommitteePetr Pavel also visitedAzerbaijan. He met with the Chief of Defense of theAzerbaijan Armed Forces and First Deputy Defense Minister, GeneralNajmaddin Sadikov and had a discussion on the benefits ofNATO –Azerbaijan partnership, Azerbaijan's participation in NATO-led operations, in addition to regional and European security.[25]
Azerbaijani PresidentIlham Aliyev met withNATO Secretary GeneralJens Stoltenberg during his visit toBrussels on 23 November 2017 and discussed NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation and security issues in South Caucasus.[26][27][28] Between 9–11 July 2024, Azerbaijani Foreign MinisterJeyhun Bayramov participated in the NATO2024 Washington summit.[29]
On November 6,President of the Republic of AzerbaijanIlham Aliyev received aNATO delegation. During the meeting, PresidentIlham Aliyev emphasized that theAzerbaijani Army has been aligned withNATO standards and highlighted the close cooperation between the Azerbaijani andTurkish armed forces within this framework. He noted the importance of expanding relations betweenAzerbaijan andNATO. PresidentAliyev also stated that cooperation betweenAzerbaijan andNATO in areas such as regional development, energy security, and other strategic directions remains on the agenda.[30]
Azerbaijan cooperates with NATO on the issues relating to security, defense, civil emergency planning, science and information, public information. In 2006, Euro-Atlantic Center was officially inaugurated inBaku.[3]Azerbaijan carries on using training, assessment, and review tools of the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Evaluation and Feedback (E&F) program in order to complete the Planning and Review Process (PARP) and to achieve a higher level of cooperation with NATO forces. JointAzerbaijan-NATO Education and Training Action Plan was developed and accomplished in 2008-2013 to enhance the implementation ofNATO standards in military education institutions inAzerbaijan.[1]
Azerbaijan andNATO signed the agreement for thePfP Trust Fund Project on 2 April 2003. After a short time,Azerbaijan introduced Saloglu Trust Fund Project to addressunexploded ordnances (UXOs) problem inAzerbaijan on April 23. The project to clearUXOs from a former military base at Saloglu,Agstafa was approved by the member states and as the executive bodies of the project,NAMSA and Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) were appointed. Saloglu Trust Fund was opened in November 2005 with the participation of NATO Secretary General's Special Representative.[6]
Azerbaijan established a mobilemélange treatment plant to get fertilizer from highly toxic substance with the support ofScience for Peace and Security Program of NATO in July 2006. Neutralizing themélange was started fromAlat. Approximately 950tonnes ofmélange was converted and stored inAlat until November 2007, and then moved toMingachevir. The remaining 350tonnes ofmélange was neutralized by May 2008.[6]
Another Trust Fund project (Jeyranchol Clearance Project) was implemented to clean an area of 64 km2 fromland mines andUXOs inJeyranchol in 3 stages. At the first stage 19 km2 area was cleaned between 2012-2014 with the support ofNATO Support Agency (formerNAMSA).The second stage started in July 2014 was completed in September 2016.[31]
Azerbaijan completed the following projects under NATO SPS Program:
| Event | Date |
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| Partnership for Peace | 1994-05-04 |
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