The statements made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Shusha Global Media Forum suggest that relations between Baku and Washington are entering a qualitatively new phase.

Where bilateral dialogue previously focused on individual areas of cooperation, the two countries are now discussing a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing the economy, energy, security, advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, transport, investment and defence. In essence, Azerbaijan and the United States are moving towards a model of long-term cooperation. Most importantly, this is no longer a relationship between a "senior" and a "junior" partner, as it had traditionally been. Instead, it has evolved into an equal partnership, with the smaller party demonstrating that it knows its worth-and that this worth is considerable.

Source: AzerTAG

The defining feature of the current stage is the institutionalisation of bilateral relations. For decades, Azerbaijan has been an important US partner in ensuring Europe's energy security, combating international terrorism, maintaining stability in the Caspian region and developing transport links. However, the intensity of cooperation has often depended on the political climate in Washington, particularly the influence of the pro-Armenian lobby in Congress. Following Donald Trump's return to the White House and the shift in the balance of power in Congress, the two sides are seeking to consolidate the agreements already reached through permanent cooperation mechanisms, specialised working groups and joint platforms for implementing specific projects. This approach formed the basis of the Strategic Partnership Charter signed in Baku on 10 February 2026 by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US Vice President JD Vance.

Baku is now placing particular emphasis on strengthening high-level political contacts. In Shusha, Ilham Aliyev highlighted the importance of his talks with Donald Trump, their subsequent meeting in Davos, Vice President Vance's visit to Baku and joint efforts to strengthen regional security. These developments suggest that Washington no longer views Azerbaijan merely as one of the participants in South Caucasus affairs, but as an independent centre of regional stability that plays an important role in shaping the transport, energy and economic architecture spanning Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Economic cooperation is becoming an equally important pillar of the relationship. In recent months, the two sides have significantly intensified their dialogue on trade, investment, the digital economy, innovation and artificial intelligence. The launch of the Azerbaijan-US Economic Dialogue demonstrates their intention to translate political agreements into tangible economic cooperation. American companies have expressed interest in participating in transport infrastructure, Middle Corridor, energy and logistics projects. Azerbaijan, in turn, is seeking to attract advanced technologies and investment.

Source: AzerTAG

Energy cooperation has expanded beyond traditional oil and gas supplies. Increasing attention is being paid to renewable energy projects, the modernisation of energy infrastructure, the introduction of digital technologies, the resilience of energy systems and the protection of critical infrastructure. This broader agenda gives the partnership a more modern and long-term character.

Significant changes are also taking place in the security sphere. Ilham Aliyev said the two sides are actively discussing the expansion of military-technical cooperation, including the possibility of US arms supplies. Azerbaijan is particularly interested in modern air defence systems, counter-drone capabilities, secure communications technologies, intelligence systems and cybersecurity solutions. For the United States, such cooperation would strengthen its partnership with a country occupying a strategic position at the crossroads of Eurasia's key transport routes.

One potential obstacle is the notorious Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, adopted in 1992. It has long since lost its practical relevance but remains part of the political debate due to the efforts of the pro-Armenian lobby in Congress.

Against this backdrop, statements signalling a desire to move US-Azerbaijan relations definitively beyond the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict are particularly significant. Baku believes that the transformed regional environment, progress in the peace process and new opportunities for economic cooperation have rendered the previous political restrictions obsolete. The complete repeal of Section 907 would provide not only practical relief but also symbolic confirmation of the transition to a new model of bilateral relations.

Although Section 907 has not prevented the relationship from developing in practice, its continued existence remains a source of irritation.

It should be recognised that the sustainability of the current trajectory in bilateral relations will depend on more than contacts between the two countries' leaders. Experts in both countries believe that Congress, the State Department, the business community, investment funds, universities and technology companies all have important roles to play. The broader the network of joint projects in energy, the digital economy, education, transport, innovation and defence, the stronger the foundation of the strategic partnership will become - and the less dependent it will be on changes in the US domestic political landscape.

Washington's policy towards Baku has, in fact, always been influenced by such changes.

Source: APA

Azerbaijan is interested in expanding political dialogue with a broad range of US institutions. For Baku, it is essential that cooperation with Azerbaijan be viewed in Washington as a long-term component of US national interests rather than as an element of any particular administration's foreign policy.

Azerbaijan matters not only as a guarantor of the energy security of US allies in Europe, but also as a key partner in the development of the Middle Corridor, the strengthening of ties with Central Asia, the protection of critical infrastructure, the adoption of new technologies, and the maintenance of stability in the South Caucasus.

The overall tone of Ilham Aliyev's remarks demonstrated that Azerbaijan is now building its relationship with the United States from a fundamentally different position. The country is offering cooperation based on its own economic potential, transport capabilities, energy resources and growing international standing.

This is why the current stage of bilateral engagement has every prospect of becoming one of the most significant in the history of Azerbaijan-US relations. The implementation of the Strategic Partnership Charter, the development of economic dialogue, the expansion of investment cooperation and the strengthening of security ties could create a qualitatively new model of relations that serves the interests of both countries amid changing geopolitical realities.