Baku: The relations between Italy and Azerbaijan demonstrate a strategic partnership rooted in history and evolving with multifaceted dimensions, according to Francesco Randazzo, an Italian analyst specializing in international relations and geopolitics in the post-Soviet region. Randazzo shared his insights with AZERTAC, emphasizing the significance of President Sergio Mattarella’s visit to Azerbaijan in July 2018. This milestone visit marked a new chapter in bilateral dialogue, reinforcing both historical ties and modern cooperative dynamics.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the formal diplomatic relations between Italy and Azerbaijan were established in 1992, shortly after Azerbaijan gained independence. However, a significant boost occurred in 1997 when President Heydar Aliyev visited Rome, leading to crucial agreements that fostered political, economic, and cultural ties. Randazzo highlighted that energy has been the cornerstone of this partnership, with Italy becoming Azerbaijan’s main trading partner through oil imports and collaborative projects like the ‘Contract of the Century’ and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The 2013 decision to build the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) further solidified Azerbaijan’s role as a strategic energy supplier to Europe.
Randazzo also noted a trend towards diversification of cooperation in recent years. Since 2017, defense and security contacts have intensified, marked by the 2023 contract for Italian tactical transport aircraft C-27J to Azerbaijan. This milestone reflects growing trust and a desire to expand partnerships beyond traditional areas. The humanitarian aspect is also gaining significance, with initiatives like the Italy-Azerbaijan University project in Baku promoting academic and cultural exchanges and enhancing the partnership’s humanitarian component.
According to Randazzo, President Mattarella’s visits to Azerbaijan reflect the multifaceted nature of bilateral relations. Economic forums, industrial facility openings, and academic interactions emphasize a strategic partnership with a long-term perspective. The focus on youth, knowledge exchange, and cultural interaction underscores the established and stable bilateral relations.
Randazzo stressed the global context of bilateral relations, with Italy aiming to strengthen dialogue between Baku and the European Union. In this context, Azerbaijan is seen as a key partner in the South Caucasus and Central Asia region. Italian diplomacy actively supports stabilization efforts in the region, highlighting the historical significance of the Joint Declaration signed on August 8 by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump. This document, focusing on mutual recognition of territorial integrity and transport corridor establishment, is viewed by Italy as a landmark step toward sustainable peace in the region.
In conclusion, Randazzo emphasized that Italy-Azerbaijan relations have reached an unprecedented level of trust and interaction, spanning energy, defense, culture, science, and education. Amid global challenges, Italy regards Azerbaijan as a vital partner with the potential for strategic influence across the region.