Commonwealth And Azerbaijan: A Membership Mystery

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. Azerbaijan is a unitary semi-presidential republic and is one of six independent Turkic states. It has diplomatic relations with 182 countries and holds membership in 38 international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, and the NATO PfP program. It is also an observer state of the World Trade Organization.

Azerbaijan was an independent nation from 1918 to 1920 but was then incorporated into the Soviet Union. It became a constituent (union) republic in 1936 and declared independence on 30 August 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan's history

In the late 19th century, an Azerbaijani national identity emerged when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed its independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic in 1918, a year after the Russian Empire collapsed, and became the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state. However, this independence was short-lived, as the country was conquered and incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan SSR in 1920.

The modern Republic of Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on 30 August 1991, shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, the country has faced ongoing conflict with neighbouring Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has resulted in several wars and continues to be a source of tension between the two nations.

Today, Azerbaijan is a unitary semi-presidential republic and is one of six independent Turkic states. It has diplomatic relations with 182 countries and holds membership in 38 international organisations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, and the NATO PfP program. It is also an observer state of the World Trade Organization.

Azerbaijan's economy

Azerbaijan has the largest agricultural basin in the region, with about 54.9% of the country being agricultural land. The country's agricultural scientific research institutes focus on meadows and pastures, horticulture and subtropical crops, green vegetables, viticulture and wine-making, cotton growing, and medicinal plants. Livestock, dairy products, and wine and spirits are also important farm products.

Azerbaijan has recently applied to join the BRICS organisation, which would provide the country with preferential access to global markets and support the development of its non-oil sector. The country has also been taking steps towards a greener" economy, as it prepares to host the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

The country's GDP is expected to grow by 2.7% in 2024 and 2.6% in 2025, according to the Asian Development Bank. However, Azerbaijan's economy is characterised by corruption and inequality, and the country has been criticised for its human rights record, including increasing restrictions on civil liberties and press freedom.

Azerbaijan's government

Azerbaijan is a unitary semi-presidential republic. It is one of six independent Turkic states and an active member of the Organization of Turkic States and the TÜRKSOY community. Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 182 countries and holds membership in 38 international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, and the NATO PfP program. It is one of the founding members of GUAM, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the OPCW.

The Constitution of Azerbaijan states that it is a presidential republic with three branches of power – executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative power is held by the unicameral National Assembly and the Supreme National Assembly in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The executive power is held by the president, who is elected for a seven-year term by direct elections, and the prime minister. The president does not have the right to dissolve the National Assembly but has the right to veto its decisions. The judicial power is vested in the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and the Economic Court. The president nominates the judges in these courts.

Azerbaijan's military

The Azerbaijani military has undergone extensive modernisation and capacity expansion since the fall of the Soviet Union, with the military budget increasing from around $300 million in 2005 to $2.46 billion in 2009. As of 2021, the Azerbaijani military had 126,000 active personnel, with 17,000 paramilitary troops and 330,000 reserve personnel. The Land Forces number 85,000 strong, according to UK Advanced Research and Assessment Group estimates, with the 2,500-strong National Guard also falling under their command. The Air and Air Defence Force has around 8,000 personnel and 106 aircraft and 35 helicopters, while the Navy has about 2,200 personnel.

The Azerbaijani military has signed numerous contracts to strengthen its armed forces and has been preparing for possible action against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. The country has been trying to further develop its armed forces into a professional, well-trained, and mobile military. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, there have been attempts to reform the military to be more in line with the Turkish/NATO model. Azerbaijan has also been undergoing extensive modernisation and has increased its military budget, which amounted to 5.4% of its total GDP in 2020.

The Azerbaijani military has seen combat in the First and Second Nagorno-Karabakh Wars. The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, also known as the "Patriotic War" in Azerbaijan, took place in 2020 and resulted in significant territorial gains for Azerbaijan. During the conflict, the Azerbaijani military was accused of committing war crimes against Armenian soldiers and civilians, including the use of cluster munitions.

Azerbaijan's culture

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is a unitary semi-presidential republic, and one of six independent Turkic states. The country has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by its historical, religious, and traditional evolution over the centuries. Here is an overview of some key aspects of Azerbaijani culture:

Language and Literature:

The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, which belongs to the Turkic family of languages. Russian is widely spoken as a second language, and younger generations are learning English. Azerbaijani literature has been preserved through oral and written traditions, with oral folklore influenced by Turkic mentality and written literature shaped by Persian and Arabic influences. Notable literary figures include Nizami Ganjavi, Mahsati Ganjavi, and Khaqani.

Art and Architecture:

Azerbaijani fine arts include ancient petroglyphs, ceramic items, decorative columns, and miniature paintings. The country has a rich history of architectural masterpieces, such as the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku. Modern architectural projects, like the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center and Flame Towers, showcase the blend of contemporary and traditional styles.

Music and Dance:

Azerbaijani music and dance are expressive art forms that have evolved over 4,000 years. Mugham, an improvisational musical form with alternating vocal and instrumental parts, is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. Traditional dances, such as the asma kasma wedding dance for women and the martial arts-based gangi for men, are often performed alongside music.

Folklore and Traditions:

Azerbaijani folklore reflects local values such as courage, wisdom, kindness, and respect for nature. Epics, poems, and oral traditions like bayati (short, passionate poems) have played a vital role in preserving Azerbaijani beliefs and history. Tea drinking rituals are also an integral part of the culture, with tea considered almost sacred. Hospitality is deeply ingrained, and guests are treated with endless cups of tea and snacks.

Cuisine:

Azerbaijani cuisine is known for its use of seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, and local produce. Saffron-rice plov (pilaf) is considered the flagship dish, often served with black tea. Other popular dishes include bozbash (lamb soup), qutab (fried turnovers), and dushbara (dumplings).

Sports:

Freestyle wrestling is considered the national sport of Azerbaijan, and the country has won several medals in Olympic wrestling events. Football (soccer) is also widely popular, with the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan being the largest sporting association in the country. Additionally, chess, backgammon, and volleyball are well-established in the country.

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