Foreign relations of Azerbaijan 40199 220851818 2008-06-21T22:40:21Z 68.161.59.5 /* External links */ {{update}} {{refimprove|date=August 2006}} {{Politics of Azerbaijan}}[[Azerbaijan]] is a member of the [[United Nations]]; the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]]; [[NATO]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]]; [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership]]; [[World Health Organization]]; CFE Treaty member state; the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]]; the [[Council of Europe]]; the [[Community of Democracies]]; the [[International Monetary Fund]]; and the [[World Bank]]. Azerbaijan has formal involvement with senior US government officials including [[James Baker]] and [[Henry Kissinger]] as they serve on the [http://www.usacc.org/contents.php?cid=2 Honorary Council of Advisors] for the [http://www.usacc.org/ U.S. Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce]. The [http://www.usacc.org/ U.S. Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce] is co-chaired by [http://www.usacc.org/contents.php?cid=29 Tim Cejka], President of [[Exxon Mobil Corporation]], and [http://www.usacc.org/contents.php?cid=30 Reza Vaziri], President of R.V. Investment Group and Chairman of the [http://www.ukwire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200507290700114603P.html Anglo Asian Mining Plc] (LSE Ticker: [http://www.londonstockexchange.com/en-gb/pricesnews/prices/system/detailedprices.htm?ti=AAZ AAZ]). ==International organization participation== [[AsDB]], [[BSEC]], [[Council of Europe|CE]], [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]], [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council|EAPC]], [[EBRD]], [[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe|ECE]], [[Economic Cooperation Organization|ECO]], [[Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific|ESCAP]], [[FAO]], [[GUAM]], [[IAEA]], [[IBRD]], [[ICAO]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|ICRM]], [[International Development Association|IDA]], [[Islamic Development Bank|IDB]], [[IFAD]], [[IFC]], [[IFRCS]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[IMF]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[Interpol]], [[IOC]], [[International Organization for Migration|IOM]], [[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]] (correspondent), [[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]], [[International Trade Union Confederation|ITUC]], [[Organization of American States|OAS]] (observer), [[Organisation of the Islamic Conference|OIC]], [[OPCW]], [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]], [[Partnership for Peace|PFP]], [[UN]], [[UNCTAD]], [[UNESCO]], [[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]], [[UPU]], [[World Customs Organization|WCO]], [[WFTU]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[WIPO]], [[WMO]], [[WToO]], [[World Trade Organization|WTrO]] (observer) ==Countries== Azerbaijan currently has diplomatic relations with 158 countries<sup>[http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/services/embassies/embassies_foreign/embassies_foreign_index.html]</sup>, <sup>[http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/services/embassies/embassies_azerbaijan/embassies_azerbaijan_index.html]</sup>: [[Afghanistan]], [[Bahrain]], [[Belarus]], [[Belgium]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Canada]], the [[People's Republic of China]], [[Denmark]], [[Egypt]], [[France]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Germany]], [[Hungary]], [[Greece]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Ireland]], [[Israel]], [[Italy]], [[Japan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Kuwait]], [[Libya]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Mexico]], [[Moldova]], [[Mongolia]], [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Oman]], [[Pakistan]], [[Poland]], [[Qatar]], [[Republic of India]], [[Romania]], [[Russia]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Serbia]], [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkey]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Ukraine]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], [[Uzbekistan]] and [[Vietnam]]. The [[ambassador]] of [[Uzbekistan]] to [[Azerbaijan]] is [[Ismatilla Ergashev]].<ref name=HOLIDAY>[http://www.azertag.com/en/index.shtml?language=english&catid=&news_year=&news_month=&news_day=&newsid=194930&themes_viewing=&themes_page=&themeid=&news_page= National Holiday of Uzbekistan marked in Baku] AzerTAj</ref> Azerbaijan also maintains good relations with the [[European Union]], and could potentially one day apply for membership. ''see [[Azerbaijan and the European Union]]''. ==Disputes== '''Disputes - international:''' '''[[Nagorno-Karabakh]]/[[Armenia]]''' <br> [[Armenia]] supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding and very bitter, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Nagorno-Karabakh is a region within Azerbaijan. The current conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) began in [[1988]] when Armenian demonstrations against Azerbaijani rule broke out in both N-K and Armenia and the N-K [[Supreme Soviet]] voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia. Soon, violence broke out against ethnic Azeris in Armenia and ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan. In [[1990]], after violent episodes in N-K, [[Baku]] and [[Sumgait]], [[Moscow]] declared a state of emergency in N-K, sent troops to the region, and forcibly occupied Baku, killing over a hundred civilians. In April [[1991]], Azerbaijani militia and Soviet forces targeted Armenian paramilitaries operating in N-K; Moscow also deployed troops to [[Yerevan]]. Following the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], conflict escalated into a full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Military action was heavily influenced by the Russian military, which inspired and manipulated the rivalry between the two neighbouring nations in order to keep both under control. More than 30,000 people were killed in the fighting from [[1992]] to [[1994]]. In May 1992, Armenian forces seized [[Shusha]] and [[Lachin]] (thereby linking N-K to Armenia). By October 1993, Armenian forces had succeeded in occupying almost all of N-K, Lachin and large areas in southwestern Azerbaijan. In [[1993]], the [[UN Security Council]] adopted resolutions calling for the cessation of hostilities, unimpeded access for international humanitarian relief efforts, and the eventual deployment of a peacekeeping force in the region. Fighting continued, however, until May 1994 when [[Russia]] brokered a cease-fire. Negotiations to resolve the conflict peacefully have been ongoing since 1992 under the aegis of the Minsk Group of the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]]. The Minsk Group is currently co-chaired by Russia, [[France]], and the [[United States]] and has representation from [[Turkey]], the U.S., several European nations, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Despite the 1994 cease-fire, sporadic violations, [[sniper]]-fire, and [[land mine|landmine]] incidents continue to claim over 100 lives each year. Since [[1997]], the Minsk Group Co-Chairs have presented three proposals to serve as a framework for resolving the conflict. One side or the other rejected each of those proposals. Beginning in [[1999]], the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia initiated a direct dialogue through a series of face-to-face meetings, often facilitated by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Most recently the OSCE sponsored a round of negotiations between the Presidents in [[Key West]], [[Florida]]. [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Colin Powell]] launched the talks on [[April 3]], [[2001]], and the negotiations continued with mediation by the U.S., Russia, and France until [[April 6]], [[2001]]. The Co-Chairs are continuing to work with the two Presidents in the hope of finding a lasting peace. The two countries are still technically at war.{{Fact|date=January 2007}} Citizens of the Republic of Armenia are forbidden entry to the Republic of Azerbaijan. If a person's passport shows any evidence of travel to Nagorno-Karabakh, barring a diplomatic passport, they are forbidden entry to the Republic of Azerbaijan. {{Fact|date=January 2007}} '''[[Cyprus]]''' <br> Azerbaijan, like most other nations, formally recognizes the government of the [[Republic of Cyprus]], which under UN and EU law represents the entire island, but interestingly enough, the parliament of Azerbaijan's [[Nakhchivan|Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic]] issued a resolution recognizing the Turkish Cypriot North (The [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]]) as a sovereign state. While this recognition is not regarded internationally as 'official state-to-state', Azerbaijan itself maintains cordial unofficial relations with the [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus|TRNC]]. In [[2004]], Azerbaijan threatened to formally recognize the TRNC if the [[Annan Plan for Cyprus|Annan Plan]] was voted down by the Greek Cypriots (who rejected the plan in one of twin referendums held 24 April 2004 in both the Greek and Turkish zones simultaneously), but Azerbaijan backed off the threat when it was pointed out that doing so would probably result in negative impact on its ongoing dispute with Armenia over [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]. Recently, in July 2005, Azerbaijan announced its intentions to recognize TRNC passports and to commence direct flights from Baku to Ercan Airport in the TRNC (by-passing both [[Turkey]] and the Republic of Cyprus); however, aside from a flight handled by the private company [[Imair]] in August [[2005]], none have taken place.<ref>[http://www.turkishpolicy.com/default.asp?show=winter_2005_Ismailzade Turkey and Azerbaijan: The Honeymoon is Over] by Fariz Ismailzade. ''Turkishpolicy.com''</ref> '''[[Caspian Sea]]''' <br> [[Caspian Sea#International disputes|Caspian Sea boundaries]] are not yet determined with [[Iran]] and [[Turkmenistan]]. Issues with [[Russia]] and [[Kazakhstan]] were settled in [[2003]]. ==Illicit drugs== There is limited illicit cultivation of [[cannabis]] and [[opium]] poppy, mostly for CIS consumption, and a limited government eradication program. Azerbaijan is a transshipment point for opiates via [[Iran]], [[Central Asia]], and [[Russia]] to [[Western Europe]] and the [[U.S.]]. ==References== *[[CIA World Factbook]] 2000 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website {{reflist}} ==See also== *[[Azerbaijan and the European Union]] *[[Azerbaijani diplomatic missions]] *[[List of diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan]] ==External links== * [http://www.usembassybaku.org U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan in Baku] * [http://www.azembassy.com/ Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Washington] * [http://www.today.az/news/politics/31315.html Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan relations] {{Foreign relations of Azerbaijan}} {{Foreign relations of Europe}} [[Category:Foreign relations of Azerbaijan| ]] [[Category:Foreign relations by country|Azerbaijan]] [[ru:Внешняя политика Азербайджана]] [[zh:阿塞拜疆#国际外交]]