NATO’s relations with Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is seeking to achieve Euro-Atlantic standards and to draw closer to Euro-Atlantic institutions. The extent of NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation ultimately depends on the country’s willingness to continue its reform process and strengthen its existing democratic institutions.

How does cooperation work in practice?

Cooperative activities, reform plans and political dialogue processes are detailed in Azerbaijan’s IPAP, which is jointly agreed for a two-year period. Key areas of cooperation include the establishment of full democratic control of the armed forces, defence planning and budgeting, and the reorganization of the entire armed forces structure using NATO standards.

Beyond supporting reform, another key objective of NATO’s cooperation with Azerbaijan is to develop the ability of the country’s forces to work together with forces from NATO countries in peacekeeping and crisis-management operations. Forces from Azerbaijan have been supporting NATO peacekeeping operations in Kosovo since 1999 and Afghanistan since 2002.  Azerbaijan is currently considering the provision of a second platoon in Afghanistan.

How did relations with Azerbaijan evolve?

NATO-Azerbaijan relations date back to 1992, when Azerbaijan joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997). Cooperation has steadily increased since Azerbaijan joined the Partnership for Peace programme in 1994 and its participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process since 1997. The focus on supporting Azerbaijan’s domestic reform process has intensified since the development of Azerbaijan’s first IPAP with NATO in 2005.