One of the main directions in Azerbaijan's successful multifaceted foreign policy is relations with Great Britain. Relations between Great Britain and Azerbaijan have historical and strategic importance. The modern history of relations between the two countries dates back to the early 1990s. Great Britain was one of the first Western countries to recognize the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence. The United Kingdom recognized Azerbaijan's independence on December 31, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on March 11, 1992.

The relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom are of a strategic partnership nature. The parties enjoy high-level political dialogue, broad-based cooperation covering energy, trade and investment, cultural and humanitarian areas, and strong bilateral relations. The development of bilateral relations is based on the rich political experience of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, and his ability to predict and accurately assess the processes in the region. One of the first steps the Great Leader took towards developing international cooperation after his return to political power in Azerbaijan was the development of relations with Great Britain. National leader Heydar Aliyev's visits to Great Britain in 1994 and 1998 formed the main pillar of the multidirectional cooperation to be established between the two countries. The Great Leader's visit in 1994, his meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, John Major, and the signed documents laid the foundation for long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation between the UK and Azerbaijan. Since then, collaboration between the two countries has expanded in various fields, a strong political dialogue has been established, and important results have been achieved in the economic field. In parallel, intensive exchanges have been carried out in the humanitarian field, and the relations have risen to the level of strategic partnership. This is evidenced by the fact that today, Azerbaijan is a reliable partner of Great Britain in the South Caucasus region and the wider Caspian Sea basin.

In December 2004, during the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Great Britain, the "Joint Declaration on Friendship and Cooperation" signed in 1998 was reaffirmed at the meeting of the head of state with the Prime Minister of this country, Tony Blair. T. Blair and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also adopted a Joint Communiqué as the basis for bilateral relations.

The high political relations between the two countries have also positively impacted economic ties, which have long historical roots. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, British companies invested large amounts of capital in Baku's oil enterprises. In 1904, Great Britain met 47 percent of its demand for white oil with Baku oil. In April 2016, Baroness Emma Nicholson was appointed UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iraq. Since then, E. Nicholson has made several visits to Azerbaijan and has also organized visits to Britain by heads and specialists of various state institutions of Azerbaijan to expand cooperation in the economic field. The British-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in May 2021, began operating in 2022.

Cooperation in the oil and gas sector occupies an important place in the two countries' economic relations. BP is the main British company in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector. The company acts as Azerbaijan's main partner in the energy sector, significantly contributing to developing and modernizing the country’s oil and gas sector. BP is the operator of the "Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli" and "Shah Deniz" projects, also a major investor in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline, and components of the Southern Gas Corridor, including the South Caucasus Pipeline, and the large-scale TANAP and TAP projects. BP is the largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan. Since signing the "Contract of the Century" in September 1994, SOCAR and BP have established successful cooperation in the energy sector. On September 14, 2017, SOCAR and BP signed a new agreement that envisages the development of the "Azeri", "Chirag", and "Guneshli" fields located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea until 2050. The signing of the agreement is another historic event in Azerbaijani-British cooperation. This agreement successfully manifests the two countries' strength of relations, mutual trust, and beneficial investment projects.

Cooperation between the countries in education, science, and culture is high. In 2013, the Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Center for Azerbaijan and Caucasus Studies was established at the University of Oxford in Great Britain, followed by the founding of the British Foundation for the Study of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus in 2016. In addition, the library of the Institute of Oriental Studies of Oxford University was named after Nizami Ganjavi, and numerous cultural and scientific events are held annually in Baku and London on the initiative of these institutions.

Successful cooperation has also been established between Great Britain and Azerbaijan in alternative energy. Energy cooperation with Great Britain has reached a new stage today. Joint activities towards the transition to "green energy" are important in diversifying relations in Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector.

Azerbaijan has started large-scale reconstruction work in the territories liberated from occupation after the Second Karabakh War. It has invited friendly countries to participate in rebuilding these territories. British companies also make significant contributions to demining Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. They are closely involved in reconstructing cities and villages that have been wiped off the face of the earth. Both countries, interested in further developing comprehensive cooperation in all areas, are increasing their efforts to maintain effective business relations and mutual trust.

Azerbaijan-Great Britain relations are an important element of international politics and economics. Historically established relations create a solid foundation for the future development of cooperation. In the context of global changes and challenges, the partnership between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom demonstrates its sustainability and potential, making it an important factor of stability and progress in the 21st century.

Recommended literature:

1. Məmmədli, Elnur Cəmil oğlu. Azərbaycan-Böyük Britaniya münasibətləri: 1991-2003-cü illər / E. C. Məmmədli; elmi red. M. C. Qasımlı.- Bakı: Adiloğlu, 2003.- 173 s.
2. Azərbaycan diplomatiyasının tarixindən / tərt. F. S. Şükürov.- Bakı, 2004.- 34 s.
3. Мусаева, Гюнель Мисир гызы. Нефтяной фактор в Азербайджанской политике Великобритании: 1991-2022 гг.: монография / Г. М. Мусаева; науч. ред. М. Дж. Гасымлы; Институт Кавказоведения НАНА.- Баку: Aspoliqraf, 2023.- 312 с.