Azerbaijan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

World of Diplomacy, 2023

Economy of Azerbaijan : 25 years of independence, 2016

The social and political processes, started in 1980s, resulted with the collapse of the USSR, and all union republics became independent. Azerbaijan was one of the first countries, which gained independence in those years. Azerbaijan declared independence on 18th of October 1991. Thus Azerbaijan became one of the countries, which balances economic and political relationships in the region. This characteristic comes from the geopolitical position of Azerbaijan. Located in the region of the Southern Caucasus, Azerbaijan has borders with the Caspian Sea to the east, Georgia and Russia to the north, Iran to the South, and Armenia to the southwest and west. A small part of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic also has borders with Turkey to the northwest. The transition period in Azerbaijan was observed some problems. However the country could maintain independence. To do so, several economic, social and political problems were resolved. The main problem, which Azerbaijan confronted, was structural. Therefore, it was important to create economy, which can manage itself independently. Throughout the years, some important steps have been taken in order to liberalize the economy. Azerbaijan has huge natural resources, which triggered the development of economy. Oil and gas resources are the most important wealth of Azerbaijan. In 2015, 90% of the export belongs to the energy carriers. This figure also shows the importance of the energy sector in Azerbaijan economy. For this reason, energy resources should be used relevantly. It was not possible to have investment and then divert it to the relevant sectors, without the interference of the government in the transition period. Therefore regulator also should play role, with the invisible hand in order to stabilize free market economy. The political stability was obtained during Heydar Aliyev’s government. The strong political power triggered economic development. Ilham Aliyev, the successor of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev continues to realize the political program of his father.

Central Eurasia. Analytical Annual, 2007

2008

This report discusses the win by incumbent Ilkham Aliyev in Azerbaijan's October 15, 2008, presidential election. It describes the campaign and results, and examines implications for Azerbaijani and U.S. interests. This report will not be updated. Related reports include CRS Report RL33453, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, updated regularly.

Handbook of Research on Ethnic, Racial, and Religious Conflicts and Their Impact on State and Social Security, 2022

The recent military confrontation including Armenia and Azerbaijan, which raged unabated for six weeks, has caused casualties and damages. The fighting pushed hundreds of thousands to flee their homes for safety. The hostilities have brought damage to livelihoods, houses, and public infrastructure. Moreover, many areas have been left with mines and other unexploded ordnances, bringing significant risks for the civilian population. The President of Azerbaijan paid more attention to the rebuilding and reconstruction of Karabakh rather than to continue endless discussions on the status of Karabakh. Ilham Aliyev said that, during the second Karabakh war, Armenia committed war crimes. We are facing a great challenge and a great...

2013

Azerbaijan's sixth presidential election since independence, held on 9 October 2013, was again neither free nor fair. It granted President Ilham Aliyev his third term after term limits had been eliminated by a referendum in 2009. However, the election itself passed essentially unnoticed because the media completely ignored the opposition and the incumbent refused to campaign. This situation left the citizenry uninformed about political developments in the country and particularly about the activities of the opposition. In addition, the permanent repression and violation of human rights has created a climate in which the citizenry is not (and has no willingness to be) involved in politics. The status quo is here to stay.

Year 2017 is drawing to a close. All the goals we set ourselves at the beginning of this year have been achieved.

2020

, the Government of the Azerbaijan People's (Democratic) Republic (ADR) adopted a temporary instruction on the secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to a Decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated 24 August 2007, this date was taken as the basis for the establishment of the Day of employees of the Diplomatic Service of Azerbaijan. One century separates us from atime when the ADR was taking its first steps in the international arena. It was an incredibly hectic century which encompassed the collapse of former empires which perished in the fire of World War One, Azerbaijan's state independence in the form of the first republic in the Muslim East, the loss of this independence, seven decades within the USSR, and the new historic achievement-the proclamation in 1991 of the Republic of Azerbaijan which, for almost three decades, has consistently strengthened its positions in the region and the world as a whole.