Azerbaijan's Choice: Europe Or Asia?

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. Football is the third most popular sport in the country, and the national football team has been controlled by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan since the country's independence in 1991. In 1994, the national team was accepted into FIFA and UEFA, and has since participated in qualification for each major tournament since Euro 1996.

Azerbaijan's role in European energy security

Azerbaijan plays a key role in Europe's energy security. The country's transport infrastructure has been pivotal in the regional and international context, with Baku, its capital, serving as a crucial link between Europe and Asia. The Baku Port, opened in 1902, has been renovated to accommodate larger ferries, increasing cargo transportation capacity. Azerbaijan has also invested in its road network, constructing and renovating thousands of kilometres of roads, bridges, and cross-border connections.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line is an important component of Azerbaijan's role in European energy security. This line connects Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, providing a direct railway link to Turkey through Georgia. The BTK offers an alternative route for cargo transportation between Asia and Europe, reducing travel distance and time, fuel consumption, and environmental impact. It is expected to strengthen economic relations between the three countries and provide Central Asian countries with easier access to European and world markets.

Additionally, Azerbaijan is actively involved in creating the North-South Transport Corridor, which will link India, Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Northern Europe. Azerbaijan's unique geographic location, with land borders with both Russia and Iran, is crucial for trilateral regional cooperation. The country has also invested in the construction of the Astara-Rasht-Gazvin railroad in Iran, planning to grant a $500 million loan for the project.

Azerbaijan's state-owned company, SOCAR, has made significant investments in Turkey's energy sector, particularly in aviation kerosene, currently supplying about 60% of Turkey's needs. Furthermore, the Southern Gas Corridor, consisting of three gas pipelines, is another vital aspect of Azerbaijan's contribution to European energy security. This corridor provides a diversification of natural gas supply routes to Europe, with the European Commissioner for Energy, Maros Sefcovic, highlighting its importance in creating a new energy route and strengthening the energy security of the European Union, especially in vulnerable regions.

However, there are risks and threats to Azerbaijan's energy sector, including the depletion of hydrocarbon reserves, the difficulty of exploring new offshore deposits, and the need to resolve issues through the delimitation of the Caspian Sea. Despite these challenges, Azerbaijan continues to play a pivotal role in European energy security through its transport infrastructure, energy projects, and regional cooperation.

Azerbaijan's football team's participation in UEFA

Azerbaijan's football teams have been participating in UEFA competitions since 1994, when the country's national team was accepted into the association. Since then, Azerbaijan has taken part in qualification rounds for major tournaments, including the World Cup and European Championships.

Despite never progressing beyond the qualification stage, Azerbaijan's football presence in Europe is notable. In 1996, security issues forced the team to play their Euro qualifiers in Trabzon, Turkey. In 2004, the legendary Brazilian footballer Carlos Alberto Torres, who captained Brazil's World Cup-winning team in 1970, was appointed Azerbaijan's national coach. However, his tenure started on a disappointing note with a 0-6 loss to Israel, followed by a 3-2 victory over Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, after a string of poor results, including a 3-0 defeat to Poland, Torres stepped down from the position.

Azerbaijan's football fortunes fluctuated in the following years, with the team experiencing a mix of successes and setbacks. In 2010, a surprising win over Turkey propelled the team to 90th place in the FIFA World Rankings, the highest position in the country's football history. This was followed by another significant achievement—a victory over Kazakhstan that broke their scoring and points records, with 7 points and 10 goals.

Azerbaijan's football aspirations continued to grow, and in 2020, the country became the first in the Caucasus region to host a major tournament, the UEFA Euro 2020. Unfortunately, the national side was eliminated in the first round of qualifying. As of 2024, Azerbaijan's football team continues to compete in UEFA competitions, aiming to qualify for the prestigious tournaments that lie ahead.

Azerbaijan's independence and joining UEFA

Azerbaijan's independence from the USSR in 1991 was a significant turning point for the country, paving the way for its integration into European football. In the post-independence era, starting in 1992, the country established the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), which became the governing body of football in the country. This marked a new chapter for the sport in Azerbaijan, as the AFFA took responsibility for all aspects of amateur and professional football within its borders.

The AFFA played a crucial role in Azerbaijan's football development and international recognition. In 1994, just two years after its formation, the AFFA achieved a significant milestone with the country's acceptance into both FIFA and UEFA. This marked the official entry of Azerbaijan into the European football landscape, allowing the national team to compete in international tournaments.

Despite gaining membership in UEFA, the early years of Azerbaijan's football journey were challenging. Security issues forced the team to play their Euro 96 qualifiers in Trabzon, Turkey. Additionally, a long-standing conflict between the AFFA and the majority of the Azerbaijan Premier League clubs led to a two-year ban imposed by UEFA in 2002. This disrupted the momentum of football in the country.

However, Azerbaijan persevered and continued to develop its footballing capabilities. In 2010, the country experienced a notable triumph when it reached 90th place in the FIFA World Rankings—its highest position at that time. This success was followed by another significant milestone: hosting the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. Azerbaijan became the first Caucasus country to host a major tournament, showcasing its capacity to organise international sporting events.

While Azerbaijan's national football team has yet to qualify for the finals tournament of any World Cup or European Championships, their journey as an independent footballing nation within UEFA has been marked by steady progress and a series of notable achievements. The country continues to play an integral role in European football, strengthening its ties with UEFA and contributing to the sport's growth in the region.

Azerbaijan's relations with the EU

Azerbaijan and the European Union have maintained a positive relationship over the years, with the EU being Azerbaijan's main trading partner and largest foreign grant donor and investor. The EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) was signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999, forming the legal basis for cooperation between the two parties in all areas except the military.

The EU and Azerbaijan have worked together on various political agreements, with the PCA being the most important one. The agreement aims to enhance trade, investment, the economy, legislation and culture within the framework of the partnership. Azerbaijan is also part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership initiative, which it joined in 2004 and 2009 respectively. The EU has also set up a European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) office in Baku to advise the Azerbaijani government and protect human rights.

In 2016, a Protocol on Azerbaijan's participation in EU Programmes and Agencies was adopted, with key items including investment in Azerbaijan's infrastructure, partial integration of the Azerbaijani economy into Europe's, and partnerships for extracting oil from the Azerbaijani-controlled part of the Caspian Sea. The EU and Azerbaijan also signed a Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor, which is a strategic initiative to bring Caspian, Central Asian and Middle Eastern gas resources to European markets.

In 2017, the EU and Azerbaijan launched negotiations to replace the original agreement, and in 2018 they agreed on new partnership priorities, marking an important step forward in their relationship. These priorities include strengthening institutions and good governance, economic development and market opportunities, connectivity, energy efficiency, environment and climate action, and mobility and people-to-people contacts.

The Azerbaijani government has been accused of money laundering in the UK and sending money to European politicians and Azerbaijani elites to keep a positive image in Europe and gain support for the Southern Gas Corridor. Despite this, the EU and Azerbaijan continue to work towards deepening their relationship and cooperation in various sectors.

Azerbaijan's importance to the Caucasus region

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and West Asia, and the largest country in the Caucasus region. Its role in the region is significant, especially in terms of economic development, energy security, and geopolitical stability.

Firstly, Azerbaijan has played a constructive role in fostering economic ties with the European Union, a key partner for all states in the region. The country has also been an active member of international coalitions fighting terrorism and has contributed to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq as part of NATO's Partnership for Peace program.

Secondly, Azerbaijan is an important energy hub, with two-thirds of the country rich in oil and natural gas reserves. The Southern Gas Corridor and the East-West Corridor are big energy infrastructure projects that highlight the strategic importance of the region to its European neighbours. The imminent completion of the Southern Gas Corridor project is expected to increase Azerbaijan's share of energy imports to the EU.

Thirdly, Azerbaijan's stability and cooperation with its neighbours can bolster capital inflow and Western investment in the region, reducing the influence of Russia and China. The development of trade ties between Baku and Yerevan, full diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, and the opening of new energy pipelines between the Caspian Sea and Turkey would particularly assist all regional economies.

Finally, Azerbaijan's reconquest of Karabakh in 2023, ending the Republic of Artsakh, has shifted the focus to underlying political tensions. A comprehensive peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with recognition of each other's territorial integrity, could lead to the right of return for displaced Armenians and Azeris to their ancestral lands. Additionally, an agreement to open the Zangezur-Syunik Corridor, connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhichevan, would enhance the West's links with Central Asia and diminish Iranian influence in the region.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan's importance to the Caucasus region lies in its potential to be a constructive player in fostering economic development, energy security, and geopolitical stability, ultimately benefiting its European neighbours and reducing the influence of rival powers.

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