The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov paid a business trip to the United Kingdom.
As part of a working visit to the UK, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a number of meetings with members of the House of Lords and the Commons of Parliament.
The Minister discussed the process of normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations in the post-conflict period, the current state of negotiations on a peace agreement, intensive restoration, and reconstruction work carried out in the liberated territories, the beginning of the process of returning internally displaced persons to their native lands. The sides discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, as well.
While commenting on the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister’s visit and meetings which were held in the UK British political scientist Neil Watson told to Ednews that Azerbaijani-UK relations are the strongest in Europe and probably the world:
“The foundation of this is energy cooperation, starting with the BP-led Contract of the Century in 1994, but the bilateral relations have gone much further. The energy agreements enabled Azerbaijan to become the most independent former Soviet republic and now there are more than 500 UK companies in Azerbaijan. Now we see Azerbaijan and the UK collaborating in many economic sectors, including tourism and agriculture. The UK was supportive of Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh War and is now assisting in demining and construction and reconstruction of the liberated territories. The new UK-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce is further enabling British businesses to engage with Azerbaijan and vice-versa.”
According to him, the meetings led by Jeyhun Bayramov were of the highest level:
“He gave a keynote speech at the Caspian Connectivity Conference, indicating how the three South Caucasus countries will collaborate in the post-Karabakh war scenario regarding exports through new transportation links. He also highlighted how Azerbaijani gas through the Southern Gas Corridor is relieving the stranglehold of Russian Gazprom on the South East Corridor. He also stressed Azerbaijan’s tolerance and multiculturalism. Minister Bayramov met HM King Charles III and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, amongst others.”
N.Watson believe that relations in energy cannot be stronger, but the UK has a wider role to play in the diversification of the Azerbaijani economy:
“As the UK has left the EU, and seeks trading partners outside of Europe, Azerbaijan is rapidly becoming one of the favored destinations for UK brands and companies to become active on an unprecedented level. Baroness Nicholson, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, is playing an integral role in this. She is also extremely effective in promoting Azerbaijan’s tolerance, equality, and rightful stance over Karabakh in the UK Parliament.”
The political expert stressed that the meetings were extremely effective:
“But there is scope for further reciprocal political, trade, and media delegations to take place and business forums to take place in both countries.”
N. Watson added that the UK has always been supportive of the normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations:
“However, I have written several times to the UK Foreign Office on the conflict, and it has always been regrettably even-handed in its response, falling short of condemning Armenia as the aggressor. In fact, the response to the situation on the Lachin Road indicated a belief in the Armenian narrative. Despite the activities of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Azerbaijan in the UK Parliament, there is still a degree of ignorance regarding the realities of the conflict. As the Western nation with the strongest relations with Azerbaijan and a negligible Armenian diaspora, that is not part of the EU, the UK could play a more active role in assisting the sides in striking a peace treaty. But it does need to be more outspoken on the Azerbaijani side and there is still work to do inside the UK Parliament to ensure Azerbaijan’s rightful stance is the prevailing narrative.”
An expert, who touched upon the discussion of the war between Ukraine and Russia, said that the UK is already the most outspoken nation in condemning Russian aggression:
“But as a non-EU country, it could try harder to understand the Russian perspective, even if its actions must be condemned. Russia has a great deal of respect for the UK, particularly in cultural terms, and the UK could operate as one of the brokers if and when peace negotiations begin. However, the staunchest critic of Russia was disgraced former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who used this for his own political capital. It is probable that his ruling Conservative party will be ousted in the near future, so only then could the UK even consider working towards negotiating peace in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.”
Ulviyya Shahin
.jpg)
.jpg)
