26 December 2025 19:33

On 26 December 2025, a press conference on the results of 2025 was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The press conference was attended by representatives of local and foreign media, as well as the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and heads of structural divisions.

In his remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov provided detailed information on the main directions of foreign policy in 2025, diplomatic activities carried out to ensure national interests, and the results achieved.

The Minister noted that against the backdrop of complex geopolitical processes in the international system in 2025, Azerbaijan successfully continued its independent, balanced, and pragmatic foreign policy course, strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms, and significantly increased its international standing and influence through flexible, responsible, and constructive diplomacy.

He emphasized that, as in previous years, ensuring sustainable and lasting peace in the region remained one of the main priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy in 2025, marking the 5th anniversary of the glorious Victory. In this context, attention was drawn to the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the outcomes of the Washington Summit held on 8 August 2025, the initialing of the peace agreement, and efforts to terminate the OSCE Minsk Process and related structures.

Information was also provided on cooperation with neighboring states and countries in Central Asia, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. It was noted that 191 documents were signed with 41 countries and political consultations were held with 52 states. Azerbaijan’s admission as a full member to the Consultative Council of Central Asian Heads of State and the elevation of relations with several countries to the level of Strategic Partnership were highlighted as indicators of growing trust and international prestige.

Speaking on multilateral diplomacy, the Minister highlighted Azerbaijan’s chairmanship in the Organization of Turkic States, continued chairmanship in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), chairmanship in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC), participation in the Non-Aligned Movement Troika, as well as initiatives within COP29, the Economic Cooperation Organization, and the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.

The Minister also noted efforts to expand Azerbaijan’s diplomatic representation abroad, including the opening of embassies in Thailand and Oman in 2025, as well as the resumption of operations of Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Syria after a 13-year pause.

It was emphasized that comprehensive economic diplomacy in 2025 aimed to strengthen Azerbaijan’s position as a key transport, energy, digital, and trade hub, expand partnerships, and enhance influence in regional and global economic platforms.

Within humanitarian diplomacy, attention was drawn to efforts to combat the mine threat and clarify the fate of missing persons. Participants were also informed about humanitarian assistance provided by Azerbaijan to Ukraine and Syria and the country’s international aid programs.

It was noted that in recent years, including 2025, Azerbaijan repatriated 537 citizens (including 473 children and 64 women) from Iraq and Syria, and evacuated nearly 9,000 Azerbaijani citizens and 82 foreign nationals due to the military conflict between Israel and Iran.

The strengthening of cooperation with local and international media, press conferences, official statements, social media activities, analytical work, and efforts to improve the staffing process of the Ministry were also highlighted.

The press conference concluded with Minister Jeyhun Bayramov answering numerous questions from media representatives.