On July 12, Syrian Transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa visited Azerbaijan, signing a key energy memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SOCAR, meeting President Ilham Aliyev to discuss bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, and facilitating a separate Syrian-Israeli diplomatic meeting in Baku. 

Official Welcome

On July 12, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Transitional President of the Syrian Arab Republic, arrived in Azerbaijan for a working visit. At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, a guard of honor was assembled for Al-Sharaa, and the airport was adorned with the national flags of both countries. He was welcomed by Yagub Eyyubov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Fariz Rzayev, Deputy Foreign Minister, and other senior officials. 

MoU Between SOCAR and Syria

On the same day, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic. The document was signed by Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of the SOCAR Supervisory Board, and Mohammed al-Bashir, Syria’s Minister of Energy. 

Meeting Between Azerbaijani and Syrian Leaders 

Also on July 12, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held an expanded meeting with Ahmad Al-Sharaa. Aliyev officially welcomed the Syrian leader, and they posed for an official photograph. Aliyev expressed hope that the Transitional President’s visit would strengthen bilateral relations, noting that the previous Syrian government’s unfriendly policies had caused a prolonged stagnation in ties between the two nations. He highlighted that Syria’s new government opened significant opportunities for future cooperation. Aliyev recalled a recent Azerbaijani delegation’s visit to Syria, which included the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Ministry representatives, during which projects to enhance collaboration across various fields were discussed. Ahmad Al-Sharaa recalled his earlier meeting with President Aliyev at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. He thanked Azerbaijan for its "brotherly support" and expressed regret that the previous Syrian administration had strained relations with many countries, including Azerbaijan. Al-Sharaa stated that the current Syrian government is eager to cooperate in political, economic, trade, cultural, humanitarian, and other sectors. He congratulated Azerbaijan on its territorial restoration and national achievements, noting that despite significant challenges in the 1990s, Azerbaijan had overcome them with resilience and is now progressing. The meeting focused heavily on energy cooperation, as Syria faces a severe energy crisis. Both sides noted that a project to transport Azerbaijani gas to Syria via Türkiye would soon be launched, aiding Syria’s energy security. They highlighted Azerbaijan’s capacity to support the rehabilitation of Syria’s energy infrastructure, with Al-Sharaa emphasizing the importance of Azerbaijan’s contribution to resolving Syria’s energy challenges as vital for national development. Further discussions covered cooperation in humanitarian, educational, and cultural sectors. The leaders considered providing scholarships for Syrian students in Azerbaijan and initiatives to restore cultural monuments. Citing Azerbaijan’s extensive experience in reconstruction within its recently liberated territories, both parties discussed Azerbaijan’s potential role in Syria’s post-conflict rebuilding. Several other issues of mutual interest were also addressed. Later that day, President Aliyev held a private meeting with Al-Sharaa. 

Syrian and Israeli Representatives Meet in Baku

Additionally, a diplomatic source in Damascus reported to Al Arabiya that a Syrian and an Israeli official held a face-to-face meeting in Baku on July 12, on the sidelines of Al-Sharaa’s visit. The source, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, noted that Al-Sharaa did not personally attend the meeting, which focused on "the recent Israeli military presence in Syria."