On August 21, Duncan Norman, the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, stated at a press conference that Azerbaijan is an important economic partner for the United Kingdom and that the two countries are entering a new stage of bilateral cooperation following the decision to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership.

Norman emphasized that London intends to expand cooperation in trade, investment and regional connectivity, arguing that closer economic ties would benefit businesses and citizens in both countries. He noted that energy has remained the foundation of bilateral relations for more than 30 years, since BP entered the Azerbaijani market, but stressed that cooperation has increasingly expanded into other sectors. According to Norman, the UK sees Azerbaijan as a potential regional hub for transport, infrastructure, finance and data. He identified green energy as a particularly important area for the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy, pointing to opportunities in solar and wind power. British companies, he added, are already active in several sectors and are interested in further investment. The ambassador also highlighted education as one of the strongest areas of bilateral cooperation. He stated that the UK had once again become the most popular destination for Azerbaijani students participating in the state education program, with 61% choosing British universities this year. Norman also encouraged Azerbaijani applicants to apply for the UK government-funded Chevening scholarship program and said London planned to expand cooperation in education and science, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, skills development and job creation. Norman stated that the newly established strategic partnership would cover a broad range of areas, including political and economic relations, defense and security, education and innovation. He noted that the two governments were working jointly on a document setting out the practical framework for the partnership. "Once the work on the document is completed, the strategic partnership between the countries will move into practical implementation," Norman emphasized. He described Azerbaijan as a dynamic and globally connected country and said the UK was determined to further develop the partnership. Norman noted that the relationship had evolved considerably from its original focus on energy and now encompassed defense, security, trade, education, innovation and people-to-people ties.

Norman stated that defense and security cooperation between the UK and Azerbaijan had reached an unprecedented level and was expected to expand significantly over the next three to four years. He said London was seeking to deepen cooperation through training, closer institutional ties and opportunities that would allow Azerbaijan to maintain and develop its own capabilities while benefiting from British expertise. The ambassador highlighted the appointment of a permanent UK military attaché to Azerbaijan in 2025 as an important step in strengthening defense relations. He described defense cooperation as a relatively new area of bilateral engagement and said the two countries were initially developing it gradually. "I am confident that our cooperation will expand significantly over the next three to four years," Norman stated. He also noted that the UK had been among the first international partners to support demining efforts in Azerbaijan and expressed readiness to continue assisting with mine clearance to facilitate the safe return of former internally displaced persons. Beyond defense, Norman said British and Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies were cooperating against organized crime, including drug trafficking, illegal migration and cybercrime. He emphasised that London could contribute its expertise while also benefiting from Azerbaijan’s experience and capabilities.

Norman identified information technology, artificial intelligence and data infrastructure as emerging areas of cooperation. He stated that British companies were already discussing potential data center projects with the Azerbaijani government and other local partners. According to the ambassador, the significant energy requirements of data centers create an additional opportunity for cooperation, particularly given Azerbaijan’s potential in renewable energy. He said British companies were engaged in ongoing negotiations but declined to provide specific details while discussions remained underway. Norman stressed that green energy would be a major focus of future economic cooperation. He said Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and wind power, could contribute to the country’s economic diversification while creating opportunities for British investment and expertise.

The ambassador stated that the UK was ready to support the development of the Middle Corridor through British expertise, investment and financing aimed at establishing sustainable infrastructure. He also welcomed developments in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, saying that continued dialogue and practical steps toward a lasting settlement could generate new opportunities for trade, investment and regional connectivity. Norman cited border delimitation efforts, Azerbaijan’s electricity supplies to Armenia and the cross-border Bridge of Peace initiative as positive developments. According to him, the opening of transport, energy and communication links could help transform peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia into broader economic and security benefits for the South Caucasus. He argued that a final peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan, together with the opening of new economic opportunities, could significantly influence the future of Azerbaijan and the wider region. Norman emphasised that the economic dimension of the peace process was particularly important and said the potential benefits would extend beyond Azerbaijan to Türkiye and other regional countries. "The signing of a peace agreement and the opening up of economic opportunities will have a huge impact on the future of Azerbaijan and the future of the region," he stated.

Norman also highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in strengthening energy security in Europe and Ukraine. He described the country as an important partner in promoting stability across the wider region and noted that the UK and Azerbaijan share a position regarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The ambassador welcomed Azerbaijan’s political and humanitarian support for Ukraine and said its energy supplies were important for the resilience of both Ukraine and Europe. Referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Azerbaijan in April, Norman described the trip as historic. "I would like to thank Azerbaijan for its support and constructive engagement in efforts to build a more peaceful and stable future for the region stretching from Gaza to Iran," Norman stated. He also pointed to Azerbaijan’s role in maintaining energy security amid the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Norman said the UK was working with partners to restore shipping through the strait and stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and advancing peace negotiations.

Norman also spoke about his efforts to learn Azerbaijani, describing it as a particularly rewarding part of his diplomatic experience. He said he had studied the language for more than a year before arriving in Azerbaijan and had subsequently lived with a family in Ganja. The ambassador acknowledged that Azerbaijani is challenging for an English speaker but said he continued to study it and hoped to improve his ability to communicate in the language during his diplomatic work. "Learning the Azerbaijani language was one of the best decisions I have made in my career," Norman emphasized. He also expressed hope of visiting Shusha in the near future and said he looked forward to further strengthening the friendly relations between the UK and Azerbaijan.