Baku, December 27, AZERTAC

On December 26, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press conference dedicated to the outcomes of 2025.

The press conference brought together local and international media representatives, as well as the leadership and heads of structural units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided an overview of the 2025 foreign policy priorities, highlighting diplomatic efforts to safeguard national interests and the key milestones achieved throughout the year.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that during 2025, against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions in the international relations system, shifts and uncertainties in the global security architecture, Azerbaijan, relying on internal stability and sustainable development, successfully continued its independent and pragmatic foreign policy course, resolutely pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the norms and principles of international law. He noted the country, amid the evolving geopolitical environment, has strengthened its cooperation mechanisms in bilateral and multilateral relations by implementing prompt, responsible, and constructive diplomacy, significantly enhancing its standing and influence at the international level.

FM Bayramov emphasized that in 2025, which marked the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s glorious victory, establishing sustainable and lasting peace in the region was one of the key priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy.

The minister also highlighted the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the signing of a Joint Declaration by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and by the President of the United States as a witness, the initialing of the draft “Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia” and other agreements reached during the Summit held in Washington on 8 August 2025 with the participation of the leaders of Azerbaijan, the United States, and Armenia.

It was mentioned that during the year, Azerbaijan signed 191 documents with 41 countries on a bilateral and multilateral basis. In the reporting year, political consultations were held with the 5 Foreign Ministries of 52 countries, and a Protocol and Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a political consultation mechanism were signed between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of 3 countries.

Minister Bayramov mentioned that in 2025, in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan, particular importance was attached to the development of relations with neighboring countries, with high-level visits to Azerbaijan being paid from Türkiye, Iran, and Georgia, and regular meetings were organized within the framework of intergovernmental and interagency mechanisms on economic cooperation with Türkiye, Iran, Russia, and Georgia.

He also provided insight into the development of historically friendly and brotherly relations with the Central Asian countries, the political dialogue and cooperation between Azerbaijan and European countries, ongoing efforts to expand existing relations with countries of the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening cooperation with countries of the Middle East and Africa, as well as efforts to expand bilateral relations with countries of North, Central, and South America.

The FM said that the accession of Azerbaijan as a full member of the Consultative Council of the Heads of State of Central Asia at the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia held in Uzbekistan on 15-16 November, has paved the way for a new stage of mutual trust and strategic partnership.

“Our chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), our Troika membership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and active engagement within the Movement at the national level have been successfully maintained. Within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), successful outcomes were achieved during the Summit held in Khankendi. Additionally, the ECO Week was held in our country, and the Clean Energy Center was established and became operational. Within the framework of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Week in Baku, an informal meeting of commissioners, a ministerial dialogue on climate and urban planning, the D-8 Media Forum, as well as the D-8 Youth Dialogue were held, and in line with the priorities reflected in the Organization’s strategic documents, agreement was reached on the establishment of D-8 Energy and Climate Center, D-8 Transport Excellence Center, and D-8 Media Center in Azerbaijan,” the minister underlined.

Highlighting the measures to expand the diplomatic representation of Azerbaijan abroad, Minister Bayramov mentioned the official opening of the Embassies of Azerbaijan in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Sultanate of Oman which took place in 2025, adding that after a 13-year break, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Syria resumed its activities in February of this year.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that in 2025, comprehensive economic diplomacy activities contributed to strengthening Azerbaijan’s position as a key transport, energy, digital, and trade hub, expanding partnerships, and further enhancing the country’s influence in the regional and global economic arena.

The minister said during the year, efforts continued at the international level to raise awareness of the large-scale activities undertaken to address the mine problem faced by Azerbaijan, as well as to clarify the fate of missing citizens.

The participants were also briefed on the humanitarian assistance provided by Azerbaijan to Ukraine and Syria throughout the year, as well as the country's international assistance programs.

Minister Bayramov underlined that in 2025, active work was carried out in the fields of public diplomacy, media and communication, as well as in conveying Azerbaijan’s foreign policy positions and information to the public.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov concluded the session by answering various questions from media representatives.