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A joint declaration on strategic partnership has been signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
President Ilham Aliyev and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham signed the document, Operative Information Center-OMM reports.
The full text of the declaration follows:
“The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”),
Building on the longstanding relations between the two countries and recalling the Joint Declaration on Friendship and Cooperation of February 23, 1994, and the Joint Declaration on Friendly Relations and Partnership of July 21, 1998, and recognizing the strength, depth and dynamism of their bilateral ties, express their shared determination to elevate relations to a Strategic Partnership based on mutual respect, common interests and practical cooperation.
Reaffirming their commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles and norms of international law, particularly those concerning the inviolability of internationally recognized borders and respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Emphasizing the importance of the Washington Peace Summit Declaration of August 8, 2025, and welcoming subsequent steps towards the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reaffirms its continued support for the efforts of the two countries, through bilateral dialogue, to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Recognizing that strong, sustainable and diversified economic growth, open trade, investment and innovation are essential foundations for long-term stability and prosperity for both Participants.
Recognizing that enduring partnerships are built on trust, openness and strong people-to-people ties, both sides affirm the importance of practical cooperation in education, science, innovation and skills as a foundation for long-term growth and digital transformation. The Participants also recognize the mutual benefits of direct engagement with communities and commit to supporting projects and programmes that advance the objectives of this Partnership.
The Participants have reached the following understanding:
I. Defence and Security
The Participants share a long-term commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation in support of regional peace and stability, and to enhancing their ability to deter, prevent and respond to common threats.
They will maintain the momentum of high-level engagement and deepen coordination on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Participants will develop defence cooperation focused on training, capacity-building and interoperability, and explore opportunities to strengthen defence industry cooperation, including joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest.
They will strengthen cooperation across a broad range of security priorities in response to growing security challenges and threats.
In addition, the Participants will develop enhanced partnerships between law enforcement agencies, as well as cooperation on border management and judicial and legal matters, to strengthen the rule of law and institutional resilience.
They also reaffirm their intention to cooperate on multilateral platforms where their interests align, making joint contributions to international peace and security.
II. Trade, Investment and Growth
The Participants share an ambition to expand and deepen bilateral trade and investment ties and promote sustainable, inclusive and diversified economic growth.
They will strengthen cooperation in the economy, trade and investment by facilitating long-term commercial partnerships, knowledge exchange and engagement across priority sectors, including renewable energy, infrastructure and services, and by promoting business-to-business links that generate jobs, skills and value in both economies.
The Participants underline the importance of regional and international connectivity and will support the development of the Middle Corridor, alongside transport, logistics and infrastructure projects that facilitate cross-border trade and investment.
They will cooperate on the clean energy transition, including renewable energy development, green finance and low-carbon technologies, to support climate resilience, sustainability, progress towards net-zero targets and energy security.
The Participants will explore opportunities to deepen cooperation in financial and capital markets through dialogue between relevant authorities and financial institutions, with a view to supporting sustainable investment, trade finance, the growth of SMEs and green finance. In accordance with their respective laws and regulations, they will facilitate knowledge exchange and institutional cooperation to strengthen the resilience and transparency of the financial sector and its access to international markets.
The Participants attach particular importance to the role of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation as a mechanism for stimulating economic, trade and investment cooperation, as well as technical dialogue. They will use it as a key platform to advance joint initiatives on investment, economic diversification, development of the Middle Corridor and energy cooperation.
III. Education and Innovation
The Participants recognize that education, science, research and innovation are essential drivers of long-term prosperity, productivity and social resilience, as well as the foundation of modern, competitive and inclusive economies.
They will deepen cooperation in education and skills development, including higher education, vocational education and training, digital and technical skills, and executive and public-sector training, in response to evolving labour market and governance needs.
The Participants will promote research, innovation and technological cooperation, including partnerships among universities, research institutes and industries working in digitalization, emerging technologies and life sciences. They will also exchange experience in artificial intelligence, digital governance and innovation ecosystems, with a focus on skills development, transparency and inclusive growth.
The Participants will encourage people-to-people exchanges and professional networks that promote mutual understanding, cultural ties and long-term cooperation between the two civil societies.
Final provisions
The Participants have agreed to hold annual Strategic Partnership meetings to review progress across the three areas of this Declaration, identify priorities for future cooperation and agree on practical monitoring of progress.
Cooperation under this Declaration will be subject to the availability of resources and in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of the Participants.
Done in Dublin on November 12, 2026, in two original copies, in Azerbaijani and English, both texts being equally authentic.”
