EU Reporter: Azerbaijan strengthened its position on int'l stage

In recent years, Azerbaijan has strengthened its position on the international stage and established its status as a middle power, thanks to its proactive foreign policy, developing energy and transport diplomacy, building up its military potential, and participating in global initiatives, according to an article on EU Reporter, cited by Report.

Among the key factors that allow Azerbaijan to be considered a middle power, the authors highlight the country's active and multi-vector foreign policy. It is noted that Azerbaijan plays a significant role in international forums, including the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the OSCE, and the UN.

The article emphasizes that Baku's foreign policy is aimed at strengthening stability, cooperation, and sustainable development at both the regional and global levels.

"Azerbaijan's active participation in multilateral diplomacy, its initiatives within international organizations, and its regional cooperation projects strengthen its position as a constructive actor within the international system.

At the same time, efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace with Armenia remain one of the principal priorities of Azerbaijan"s regional policy. Consequently, Azerbaijan"s foreign policy as a middle power serves not only to secure national interests but also to strengthen sustainable peace, security, and cooperation in the South Caucasus and beyond," reads the article.

The author devotes special attention to Azerbaijan's geostrategic location. According to him, the country is located at the intersection of East-West and North-South transport routes, significantly increasing its importance in international logistics.

"Projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Railway, the Middle Corridor, and the International North–South Transport Corridor strengthen Azerbaijan's role as a regional connectivity and logistics hub," the author wrote.

EU Reporter also highlights energy diplomacy among Azerbaijan's most important instruments of international influence. It notes that, thanks to the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor, TANAP, and TAP projects, Azerbaijan has become one of Europe's key partners in energy security.

"Particularly following the Russia–Ukraine war, Azerbaijan's role in the European Union's policy of diversifying energy sources has increased significantly.

In addition, Azerbaijan possesses one of the strongest military capabilities in the region. The victory achieved during the Second Karabakh War in 2020 and the restoration of the country's territorial integrity substantially increased Azerbaijan's military capabilities and strategic weight. The combination of military strength with diplomatic capacity is among the key factors reinforcing Azerbaijan"s status as a middle power," reads the article.