All the provisions of the Declaration on Mutual Alliance signed between Azerbaijan and Russia completely meet the national interests of Azerbaijan. Like the Shusha Declaration signed with Turkey, the Moscow Declaration was signed with Russia for guaranteeing territorial integrity, independence, and security of Azerbaijan. The declaration especially emphasizes that both countries pursue independent foreign policies.
With the signing of this strategic document, interstate relations between Baku and Moscow have qualitatively entered into a new stage. At the same time, it reaffirmed that the parties have been actively collaborating to increase the potential of mutual cooperation over the years. The work on the preparation and approval of the alliance document began in the middle of 2021, meaning that it can not be correlated with the recent developments in the region. In this sense, President Ilham Aliyev comments on the true nature of the document: “These words are not just intentions, but also concrete actions. The declaration is broad enough. It has more than 40 provisions. It covers the most important areas of our cooperation and will be of great importance for the future of our bilateral relations. ”
One of the main features of the forty-three-provision-long declaration is its emphasis on the importance of the compliance with the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the norms and principles of international law. In other words, the leading role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security is highlighted here. The most significant point is that the parties undertake to refrain from actions that could damage their mutual alliance, to prevent the activities of any organization or individual against their sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The declaration also emphasizes the need for cooperation in ensuring stability and security in the Caucasus region and Caspian Sea. It also reaffirms the importance of all the principles provided in the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. As President Ilham Aliyev noted in a joint statement to the press, "Russia and Azerbaijan will continue to make a decisive contribution to the strengthening of peace and cooperation in the Caucasus, Caspian, and Eurasia regions through joint efforts."
Azerbaijan and Russia also will make cooperation to prevent international terrorism, extremism, separatism, transnational organized crime, and other threats.
In general, the main actors of the new configuration formed in the South Caucasus after the glorious victory of Azerbaijan in the Patriotic War are Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia. In this sense, the signing of the declarations of alliance by Azerbaijan with both countries officially confirms this new configuration.
At the same time, Azerbaijan is developing its relations with the European Union. In the first half of this year, Azerbaijan intends to complete negotiations on a bilateral agreement with the European Union and sign the agreement. Therefore, the next security dialogue between Azerbaijan and the European Union will be held in Baku in March.
In short, Azerbaijan has managed to establish high-level relations with all the power centers and neighboring countries. Azerbaijan is the only country in the post-Soviet space that has guaranteed its independent policy and security from all the power centers. Achieving this, first of all, requires strength and skillful diplomacy.