# Azerbaijan broadens ties, weighs Council exit > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/azerbaijan-energy-cooperation-agreements > Updated: 2026-07-29T22:49:28.000Z. Sources: 61. Developments: 19. Since late May 2026 Azerbaijan has pursued an aggressive regional agenda of energy, trade and diplomacy while weighing a full exit from the Council of Europe. At the July 13 Shusha Global Media Forum President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed the exit option. The following days saw a Slovak delegation negotiate a 5‑10‑year natural‑gas contract of about 1.2 billion m³ yr⁻¹ and launch a business forum on a Central‑Asia‑to‑Europe electricity corridor. On 15 July Speaker Sahiba Gafarova and Slovak President Petra Pellegrini pledged deeper cooperation on politics, economics, energy and reconstruction, and tighter integration of the South‑Caspian gas corridor with European networks. Two days later Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, confirming $5 billion of trade this year and the restoration of direct air links. German‑Azerbaijani ties were cemented on 20‑21 July when Chancellor Friedrich Merz met President Aliyev in Berlin and signed a joint strategic declaration creating a German‑Azerbaijani Economic Council, setting a roadmap to raise Azerbaijani gas deliveries to up to 2 billion m³ yr⁻¹ and expand oil, renewable‑energy and hydrogen projects. Critics highlighted Azerbaijan’s authoritarian record, while German officials stressed the strategic importance of diversifying Europe’s energy supply. On 29 July Speaker Gafarova visited Ethiopia, meeting Parliament Speaker Aqeqnehu Tesager to explore deeper trade, investment and tourism ties. Azerbaijan also advanced its logistics agenda, promoting the Middle Corridor and hosting the 5th Black Sea‑Caspian Logistics Forum in Baku (7‑9 Sept) with over 150 delegates from 20 countries to plan cargo‑volume growth for 2026‑27. An electronic permit (E‑Permit) system for road freight with Georgia was introduced, issuing 1,000 bilateral, 1,000 transit and 1,000 third‑country permits, making Georgia the fifth nation to adopt the system. These initiatives reinforce Azerbaijan’s broader strategy of expanding regional connectivity while weighing its institutional alignment with Europe. ## Claims - The Azerbaijani parliament participates in multiple international parliamentary assemblies such as UN PA, CIS PA, Asia PA and Black Sea Economic Cooperation PA. (single source) - Speaker Sahibə Qafarova visited Ethiopia on July 29 and met with Ethiopian Parliament speaker Aqeqnehu Tesager. (single source) - Ethiopia expressed interest in expanding trade, investment and tourism cooperation with Azerbaijan. (single source) - Azerbaijan introduced an electronic permit (E‑Permit) system for road freight with Georgia, providing 1,000 bilateral, 1,000 transit and 1,000 third‑country permits. (single source) - The 5th Black Sea‑Caspian Logistics Forum was held in Baku on 7‑9 September, with over 150 participants from more than 20 countries. (single source) - The forum’s agenda included the development of the Middle Corridor’s cargo volume and investment potential for 2026‑27. (single source) - More than 100 companies were expected to be represented at the Black Sea‑Caspian Logistics Forum. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-29: Azerbaijan expands parliamentary diplomacy and launches logistics corridor projects Azerbaijan boosts parliamentary diplomacy with a speaker visit to Ethiopia and advances its Middle Corridor logistics, hosting a regional forum and launching an e‑permit system with Georgia. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-boosts-global-profile-via-parliamentary-diplomacy-and-middle-corridor-logistics ### 2026-07-23: Azerbaijan and Germany deepen strategic partnership with expanding oil and gas trade Azerbaijan and Germany boost their partnership, with Germany becoming a top oil importer and new gas supplies, and trade reaching about €1.7 bn in 2025 and $573 m in early 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-and-germany-deepen-strategic-partnership-with-expanding-oil-and-gas-trade ### 2026-07-20: Germany and Azerbaijan establish joint Economic Council and deepen energy cooperation Germany and Azerbaijan signed a joint declaration establishing an Economic Council, pledging deeper energy ties, increased gas imports, and broader industrial cooperation. 30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-expands-industrial-and-logistics-partnership-with-germany ### 2026-07-17: Russia and Azerbaijan fully normalize bilateral relations Russia and Azerbaijan declared full normalization of relations on 17 July, emphasizing revived diplomatic dialogue, expanding trade of up to $5 bn, and plans to restore direct flights, underscoring regional‑st­ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-and-azerbaijan-fully-normalize-bilateral-relations ### 2026-07-17: Azerbaijan FM Bayramov Meets Russian FM Lavrov in Moscow to Advance Bilateral Ties Azerbaijan’s FM Bayramov and Russia’s FM Lavrov met in Moscow on 17 July, boosting bilateral trade and investment ties while discussing South Caucasus stability and urging cease‑fires in regional conflicts. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-fm-bayramov-meets-russian-fm-lavrov-in-moscow-to-advance-bilateral-ties ### 2026-07-15: Azerbaijan and Slovakia deepen strategic partnership in high‑level talks Azerbaijan and Slovakia reaffirmed their strategic partnership on 15 July 2026, pledging deeper political, economic and energy cooperation and highlighting joint parliamentary initiatives. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-and-slovakia-deepen-strategic-partnership-in-highlevel-talks ### 2026-07-14: Slovakia seeks long‑term gas contracts with Azerbaijan after 2027 Slovakia’s president and economy minister met Azerbaijan to lock in a 1.2 bn m³/yr gas deal after 2027, aiming to replace Russian supplies and boost bilateral trade. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-seeks-longterm-gas-contracts-with-azerbaijan-after-2027 ### 2026-07-14: UK-Azerbaijan parliamentary group seeks deeper strategic partnership The UK‑Azerbaijan parliamentary group, re‑formed after the 2024 election, aims to boost strategic ties, expand exchanges, and attract British investment beyond oil into renewables, security and trade. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-azerbaijan-parliamentary-group-seeks-deeper-strategic-partnership ### 2026-07-13: Azerbaijan President Aliyev Considers Full Exit from Council of Europe President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan is weighing a full withdrawal from the Council of Europe after its voting rights were stripped, while stressing strong EU ties and expanding gas exports. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-weighs-full-exit-from-council-of-europe ### 2026-07-03: Azerbaijan deepens ties with EU as regional leader, energy partnership expands Azerbaijan’s regional leadership is gaining EU recognition, with high‑level visits, a strategic energy partnership and a 65% rise in gas exports after a 2022 agreement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-deepens-ties-with-eu-as-regional-leader-energy-partnership-expands ### 2026-06-30: Azerbaijan, Belarus deepen cooperation with new lift plant in Agdam Azerbaijan and Belarus signed multiple cooperation deals, including a joint lift‑escalator plant in Agdam and a poultry complex, expanding projects across several regions and tourism ties. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-belarus-deepen-cooperation-with-new-lift-plant-in-agdam ### 2026-06-29: Azerbaijan and Peru Mark 30 Years of Diplomatic Ties Azerbaijan and Peru celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations with a joint exhibition in Baku and a concert highlighted in Peru’s La Razón, signaling deepening cultural and political ties. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-and-peru-mark-30-years-of-diplomatic-ties ### 2026-06-23: Azerbaijan and Iran plan expanded green tourism cooperation Iran and Azerbaijan discuss joint green tourism initiatives, citing shared natural assets, improved transport links, and Azerbaijan’s recent eco‑tourism milestones like COP‑29 and WUF. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iraqs-parliamentary-deputy-speaker-warns-of-regional-crises-at-baku-summit ### 2026-06-18: Azerbaijan Moves from Aid Recipient to Donor, Expands Parliamentary Cooperation with Russia Azerbaijan announced its transition to a humanitarian donor at a UN forum and, weeks later, met Russian parliament leaders to deepen cooperation in inter‑parliamentary bodies. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-and-malaysia-strengthen-ties-as-ambassadors-tenure-ends ### 2026-06-14: Egypt and Azerbaijan deepen development partnership Egypt’s planning minister and Azerbaijan’s Cairo ambassador agreed to deepen joint investments, share sustainable‑development expertise, and expand economic ties, including direct Cairo‑Baku flights. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egypt-and-azerbaijan-deepen-development-partnership ### 2026-06-10: Azerbaijan holds bilateral talks with Estonia and Japan to boost cooperation Azerbaijan met Estonia and Japan foreign ministries in June, discussing political ties, economic cooperation, energy projects and visa‑free travel, aiming to deepen bilateral relations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-holds-bilateral-talks-with-estonia-and-japan-to-boost-cooperation ### 2026-06-03: Azerbaijan and Belarus Sign New Trade and Cooperation Agreements Azerbaijan and Belarus held their 16th intergovernmental commission meeting in Minsk, signing agreements on trade, industry, agriculture, transport and fire‑fighting equipment, and planning the next session for 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-and-belarus-sign-new-trade-and-cooperation-agreements ### 2026-05-30: Algeria and Azerbaijan finalize strategic oil and gas partnership Algeria ratified a five‑year strategic energy memorandum with Azerbaijan, securing long‑term Azerbaijani light crude supplies to Sonatrach’s Augusta refinery and expanding cooperation in oil, gas, petrochemials 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeria-and-azerbaijan-finalize-strategic-oil-and-gas-partnership ### 2026-05-20: Georgia and Azerbaijan sign 20‑year energy cooperation agreements Georgia and Azerbaijan seal 20‑year energy deals, reviving pipelines and boosting regional transit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/georgia-and-azerbaijan-sign-20year-energy-cooperation-agreements --- Cite as: Azerbaijan broadens ties, weighs Council exit. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/azerbaijan-energy-cooperation-agreements