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.
