Azerbaijan insists on pragmatic cooperation with the European Union and is not ready to assume political or ideological obligations. The focus remains on energy, transport, education, tourism, and the visa regime. This was stated to Minval Politika by political analyst and member of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis Rasim Musabayov, commenting on the recent statement by EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Magdalena Grono about Brussels’ readiness to “move forward on an updated cooperation agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan.”
According to the analyst, Azerbaijan does not intend to undertake any political commitments to the European Commission or the EU as a whole, primarily because the EU itself does not assume similar obligations toward Azerbaijan and, apparently, does not plan to do so.
“A mutually acceptable text can be prepared and initialed, but this document must be approved by the European Parliament and then by the parliaments of EU member states. And we know what sentiments prevail in the European Parliament, as well as in the parliaments of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. We have no doubt that there will be attempts to burden this document with political demands and conditions that are completely unacceptable for Azerbaijan,” the interlocutor said.
“Therefore, Azerbaijan will agree only to an agreement that contains pragmatic issues rather than political, and even more so ideological, ones,” the expert noted.
First and foremost, he said, this concerns cooperation in energy and transport. Civil aviation issues, the deputy stressed, have remained problematic. The analyst believes the parties should strive for mutually acceptable agreements in education, tourism, and the visa regime — areas that are of interest to both sides.
“I do not think Azerbaijan will assume any political obligations toward Brussels. There will be no unilateral commitments, and Azerbaijan has no intention of accepting lectures from Brussels,” Musabayov explained.
He also emphasized that the balance of power in the region is not determined by documents signed with Brussels by individual countries. “The balance of power is shaped by demographic, economic, and military potential, by a correct international policy, and by allied relations. In this sense, Azerbaijan’s dominance in the region raises no questions and has been recognized in practice,” the expert added.
Azerbaijan, the parliamentarian noted, supplies approximately 12 billion cubic meters of gas annually to the European Union, which accounts for about 5% of EU demand. “This is not very much, but for certain Southern European countries — Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania — it is an important factor in diversifying supplies.”
In addition to gas, Azerbaijani oil supplies are also important. “Azerbaijan serves as an important source for diversifying the energy consumption of EU member states,” Musabayov said.
However, according to the expert, the European Union so far limits itself to expressing a desire to receive Azerbaijani gas but does not directly participate in expanding pipeline capacity or financing exploration of new fields.
“This is linked to the EU’s long-term goal of gradually phasing out hydrocarbons. In this situation, Azerbaijan acts within its capabilities, developing infrastructure and production where it is profitable and without harming the budget. We are not ready to assume obligations without financial and structural support from the EU. This is business, and we will develop it where it benefits Azerbaijan,” Musabayov stressed.
In addition, he said, the new agreement with the European Union is not an alternative to the Eastern Partnership program.
“We have had a valid document with the EU since 1997. But the world has changed, Azerbaijan has changed, and the European Union has changed, so a new document is needed. However, it does not replace the Eastern Partnership,” the political analyst explained.
Musabayov also noted that the EU’s political presence in the region remains limited and is not expected to expand. He pointed to the developing relations between the EU and Armenia, despite Armenia’s membership in Russian military-political and economic alliances, while Georgia faces difficulties.
“Negotiations with the EU can be concluded fairly quickly by initialing the agreement. As for ratification and the entry into force of the document, this will require more time, but there is nothing critical about that. Azerbaijan’s relations with Brussels are built on a pragmatic basis, and the presence or absence of a new agreement does not create serious obstacles to solving current tasks,” Rasim Musabayov concluded.
