The Flourishing Economic and Political Relations of Turkey & Azerbaijan: An Overview after 30th Diplomatic Anniversary

Abstract

Turkey was the first country to recognize the Azerbaijan’s independence from Soviet Union on 9th of November, 1991. Turkey-Azerbaijan bilateral relations are rooted in their historic cultural analogy and geopolitical features which have always fostered the mutual support for industrial, economic, and technological development. Turkey’s foreign policy has evolved with the changing dynamics of international relations for promoting cordial bilateral ties with Azerbaijan. Bilateral trade between these countries has provided a solid foundation for reciprocity and preliminaries for maintaining the balance. The primary catalyst of the trade growth trajectory in Azerbaijan has been the earning from energy resources but the role of Azerbaijan’s FDI inflows in Turkey has also been a strategic calculus in its flourishing trade. To date, the ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan have remained cordial, however, according to economists and international relations professionals, the relationship has undergone qualitative changes. In this study, an in-depth analysis of the bilateral relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan has been conducted to identify the trajectory of evolution, success indicators, and the associated challenges.