Türkiye–Azerbaijan Relations in the Post-Independence Period

This study examines Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations in the post-independence period through three major phases: diplomatic recognition and institutionalization (1991-1994), strategic cooperation (1994-2010), and the era of alliance and partnership (2010 onwards). In the first phase, Türkiye enhanced Azerbaijan’s international legitimacy as the first state to recognize its independence and supported its territorial integrity during the Karabakh crisis. The second phase was characterized by strategic cooperation centred on major energy projects such as BTC and BTE, which positioned both countries at the core of regional energy security, while Azerbaijan’s assistance during the 1999 Marmara Earthquake reflected the reciprocal nature of this partnership. In the third phase, bilateral relations advanced to the level of a formal alliance, with Türkiye’s decisive support in the 2020 Karabakh Victory and the subsequent declaration of alliance through the 2021 Shusha Declaration; during this period, SOCAR’s investments constituted Azerbaijan’s strategic economic support for Türkiye, and the assistance provided during the 2023 earthquakes highlighted the humanitarian dimension of solidarity. The study further argues that initiatives such as the Zangezur Corridor and the Trump Corridor, emerging through US mediation, present both opportunities and risks for the future trajectory of bilateral relations. Overall, Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations are assessed not merely as an interest-based alliance but as a strategic partnership grounded in shared history, identity, and mutual assistance.

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