Post by : Maya Rahman

In Abu Dhabi, Saeed Al Hajeri, Minister of State for the UAE, joined forces with Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, to co-lead the inaugural meeting of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Committee. This pivotal event, attended by senior officials from both nations, signals a commitment to uplift the bilateral relationship through structured cooperation.

The newly established Strategic Partnership Committee aims to foster systematic collaboration in crucial sectors. Its role is to ensure that effective measures are taken in key areas, aligning with both countries’ strategic aspirations while reinforcing their cooperative engagement.

During discussions, the committee reflected on key milestones achieved since 2025, which have laid the groundwork for a robust UAE-Azerbaijan connection. Highlights include the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the declaration of a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership. Significant diplomatic visits have also contributed to strengthening ties, including President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s trip to Azerbaijan in September 2025 and President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the UAE in July of the same year.

A consensus was reached to establish specialized subcommittees targeting five fundamental areas: diplomacy and politics, economic collaboration, law enforcement and defense, humanitarian issues (covering education, culture, and advanced technology), and energy sustainability. These subcommittees will commit to projects, assess progress, and ensure effective execution of collaborative undertakings over the years ahead.

The committee also outlined a five-year strategic cooperation roadmap. Collaboration opportunities were explored in crucial sectors, including economic development, defense collaboration, cultural and educational exchanges, and initiatives for sustainable energy and technology advancement. This roadmap will act as a strategy for systematic project implementation.

Minister Saeed Al Hajeri noted that this committee is emblematic of the flourishing partnership between the UAE and Azerbaijan. He underscored the ongoing dedication of both nations to their shared objectives and the enhancement of collaborative efforts in areas of mutual interest. The committee serves as a vital avenue for syncing and ensuring mutual benefits in the long run.

Concluding the meeting was the arrangement for the subsequent committee gathering to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, underlining the two countries’ commitment to continuing dialogue and partnership. The UAE delegation was inclusive of officials from various ministries, such as Defense, Justice, and Economy, along with representatives from entities like AD Ports and Masdar.

This initial meeting of the UAE-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership Committee stands as a notable milestone in their bilateral relations. Through its focused subcommittees, five-year action plan, and collaborative projects, both nations aspire to broaden their cooperation in economy, defense, energy, culture, and humanitarian domains, demonstrating their dedication to lasting strategic collaboration and mutual development.

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