UK and Azerbaijan sign Strategic Partnership declaration in Dublin, with defence cooperation on the agenda

Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership in Dublin on 12 November 2026, raising relations between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan to a new level. The text was published by the UK government and was adopted in two original copies, in English and Azerbaijani.

The signing took place in the Irish capital, where the leaders were attending the ninth European Political Community meets in Dublin: what the ninth EPC summit is and who attends.

Defence and security

The first of three pillars covers defence and security. The two sides say they share a long-term commitment to cooperation in support of regional peace and stability and to improving their ability to deter, prevent and respond to common threats. They commit to sustained high-level engagement and closer coordination on bilateral, regional and international issues.

On defence, the declaration speaks of cooperation focused on training, capacity building and interoperability. The participants will also “explore opportunities” to strengthen defence industry cooperation, including joint initiatives. The text names no specific programme, contract or equipment. It adds that the two countries will form enhanced law-enforcement partnerships and cooperate on border management and on judicial and legal matters.

Trade, energy and the Middle Corridor

The second pillar deals with trade, investment and growth. The declaration points to renewable energy, infrastructure and services as priority sectors and says the two countries will back the development of the Middle Corridor, together with transport, logistics and infrastructure projects that ease cross-border trade. They also undertake to work together on the clean energy transition, green finance and low-carbon technologies, and to explore deeper cooperation in financial and capital markets.

The Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation is named as the principal platform for investment, economic diversification, Middle Corridor and energy initiatives.

Education, innovation and the Armenia reference

The third pillar covers education and innovation: higher and vocational education, digital and technical skills, research partnerships between universities and industry, and an exchange of expertise on artificial intelligence, digital governance and innovation.

The preamble reaffirms the UN Charter and the inviolability of internationally recognised borders, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also stresses the importance of the Washington Peace Summit Declaration of 8 August 2025. The UK welcomes the subsequent steps towards normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and reaffirms its support for the two countries’ efforts to reach lasting peace through bilateral dialogue.

The Armenia question was also on the table in Dublin the same day, when a separate group of leaders met the Armenian side: see Armenia’s backers accuse Russia of mounting pressure and threatening energy supplies at Dublin meeting.

What happens next

The two governments agreed to hold an annual Strategic Partnership meeting to review progress across the three pillars, set priorities and agree practical follow-up. The declaration states that cooperation will depend on the availability of resources and will follow each country’s laws and regulations. It is a political declaration of intent and the published text sets no figures, deadlines or funding.