Strategic Partnership Agreement Between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America

Strategic Partnership Charter between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America is a bilateral strategic agreement signed on 10 February 2026, envisioning comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, energy, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and security.

The signing ceremony took place in Baku on 10 February and the document was signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and United States Vice President James David Vance.

Signing Process and Background

Preparations

The development of the Strategic Partnership Charter is based on a memorandum of understanding signed in Washington D.C. on 8 August 2025.

President Ilham Aliyev, in his remarks following the signing ceremony, stated that six months earlier in Washington, he held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, after which it was decided to establish a working group to develop the Strategic Partnership Charter. Aliyev also recalled that on 8 August 2025 in Washington, a Joint Declaration was signed, witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

JD Vance’s Regional Visit and Context of the Peace Process

U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Azerbaijan as part of the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter and had also held consultations in Armenia on 9 February prior to the visit. Vance’s visits to both Armenia and Azerbaijan are described as part of the United States’ efforts to advance peace and trade initiatives.

Regarding the peace process, JD Vance stated: “Our hope is that (TRIPP) will help build economic cooperation in the areas of natural resources and critical minerals, and make this extraordinary peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia truly enduring.”

President Ilham Aliyev described the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter during the ceremony as the result of “sincere efforts”. In the same statement, Aliyev said: “We thank President Trump and the Vice President for their contributions to peace in the South Caucasus.”

Core Principles of the Charter

The parties reaffirmed their mutual support for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders as the foundation of bilateral relations.

The parties also emphasized the importance of developing strategic cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including regional connectivity, economic investment, and security collaboration.

The text highlights the vital importance of involving not only public institutions but also the private sector in advancing relations through joint will to strengthen cooperation in diplomatic, economic, energy, technological, and security fields.

Section One of the Strategic Partnership Charter outlines cooperation in the areas of land, sea, and air transport infrastructure; energy and data connectivity; trade and transit facilitation; customs and border crossings, all centered on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor).

Section Two addresses cooperation aimed at promoting economic growth, increasing bilateral trade and investment, and improving the business environment.

Under the cooperation on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, the charter aims to develop AI partnerships, establish AI data centers in Azerbaijan, and create R&D mechanisms in cybersecurity and advanced technologies.

In the security section, the charter states that peace in the South Caucasus is a shared interest of both countries. It further specifies that relevant working groups are expected to finalize project lists and roadmaps within three months from the date of signing.

The full text of the Strategic Partnership Charter is as follows:

"The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America:

1. Reaffirm their mutual support for each other’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders as the foundation of bilateral relations;

2. Proceed from the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America in Washington D.C. on 8 August 2025, which established a Working Group to develop the Strategic Partnership Charter;

3. Reaffirm the importance of strategic cooperation in areas of mutual interest and common benefit, including regional connectivity, economic investment, and security collaboration;

4. Emphasize their shared intent to strengthen relations in areas of mutual interest, including diplomacy, economy, energy, technology, and security;

5. Reaffirm the vital importance of involving not only state institutions but also the private sectors of both countries in the planning and implementation of strategic partnership and enhanced cooperation.

Section I: Regional Connectivity Including Energy, Trade, and Transit

The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to jointly promote regional connectivity by cooperating through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor) in the development of land, sea, and air transport infrastructure; energy and data connectivity; trade and transit facilitation; customs control and border crossings; international multimodal logistics; and other relevant areas. The parties acknowledge the importance of the Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a multimodal connectivity project that will ensure seamless connection between the main territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and provide mutual benefits for international and domestic connectivity in accordance with the Washington Peace Summit Declaration of 8 August 2025, highlighting its potential to unlock the region’s international trade and transit potential.

Building on the successful history of Azerbaijan-U.S. relations and the benefits delivered to both parties and the wider region through projects such as the Century Agreement and the Southern Gas Corridor, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to enhance bilateral economic relations by improving the business environment and facilitating trade and investment flows. In this regard:

1. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to expand cooperation by focusing on the development of the Middle Corridor in the energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure sectors to promote economic growth and regional connectivity, including through the advancement of TRIPP and other projects;

2. Recognizing the importance of regional connectivity, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to explore opportunities to mobilize public and private sector investments in the energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure sectors;

3. Recognizing the strategic importance of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in energy security, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to expand energy cooperation through bilateral initiatives and partnerships with third countries to implement joint projects such as interconnectors and diversify supply routes in the oil, gas, and electricity sectors;

4. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to deepen civil nuclear cooperation;

5. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America express their intent to cooperate in facilitating the transit of critical minerals through the Middle Corridor to global markets.

Section II: Economic Investment Including Artificial Intelligence and Digital Infrastructure

1. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to expand cooperation to enhance economic growth, encourage investment, and improve the bilateral business environment. The United States of America welcomes Azerbaijan’s efforts to further integrate into the global economy and strengthen its position as a hub for energy, trade, data, finance, transportation, and logistics in the Caspian region.

2. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to identify strategic opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment, including by exploring the possibility of convening economic or commercial dialogue platforms;

3. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to expand cooperation through active private sector participation to advance bilateral and regional economic, commercial, and investment collaboration;

4. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to expand cooperation on developing AI partnerships and, where appropriate, promote investment in digital infrastructure, including the establishment of AI data centers in the Republic of Azerbaijan, through collaboration with the private sector and cooperation in the space industry;

5. Based on international best practices, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to examine the creation of specialized mechanisms such as joint R&D support tools, innovation bridge platforms, and sector-specific startups in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to mobilize venture capital, reduce risks in early-stage technology development, and accelerate commercialization;

6. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to encourage partnerships to develop talent and grow a skilled technology workforce in the Republic of Azerbaijan on the basis of a supportive regulatory environment, share best practices in the implementation of emerging technologies, platforms, and business applications, provide technical assistance, and encourage investment in cross-border and Trans-Caspian digital connectivity;

7. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to cooperate through intergovernmental channels and public-private partnerships to support joint research, development, commercialization, technology protection, and voluntary technology transfer under mutually agreed conditions, in accordance with legal and regulatory frameworks, for the development of digital infrastructure and the application of artificial intelligence in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Section III: Security Cooperation

Peace in the South Caucasus is a shared interest of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America, and security cooperation between the two countries benefits both nations as well as international and regional peace and security. The United States of America highly values Azerbaijan’s contributions to international peacekeeping efforts, in which Azerbaijani forces have served alongside the United States and coalition partners.

1. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to expand the scope of defense and security cooperation, including defense sales;

2. In line with their shared commitment to combating the destructive effects of terrorism, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to expand existing counterterrorism cooperation;

3. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to cooperate to enhance capacity in cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure;

4. Taking into account the serious challenges faced by the Republic of Azerbaijan due to contamination by landmines and other explosive remnants of war, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to cooperate on capacity building in humanitarian demining through financial support and technology transfer.

Section IV: Institutional Framework and Implementation

Acknowledging their shared intent to implement the commitments of this Charter, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America may establish working groups in areas of cooperation including economy and trade; energy; connectivity, artificial intelligence, and digital development; and security and defense under the existing Strategic Partnership framework.

Within three months of the signing of this Charter, the relevant Working Groups aim to reach decisions on lists of projects and roadmaps for their implementation.

The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America aim to meet regularly at least once a year under this Charter and may also establish other dialogue platforms as mutually determined necessary for the implementation of their partnership.

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Leaders’ Statements

Following the signing ceremony, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated that relations between Azerbaijan and the United States have entered “a completely new stage”. Aliyev noted that the Strategic Partnership Charter covers numerous areas including security, counterterrorism, and energy security.

Regarding the TRIPP project, Aliyev stated that this route will connect the two parts of Azerbaijan and serve as a major transport corridor linking Asia and Europe via Azerbaijan, Armenia, and neighboring countries. He also emphasized that this project will contribute to strengthening the peace process in the region.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that the signed Strategic Partnership Charter has made the relationship between the two countries permanent and official. Vance announced that new vessels will be sent to Azerbaijan to assist in securing its territorial waters.

Vance also referenced the multinational force in Afghanistan, stating regarding Azerbaijan’s contributions: “Azerbaijanis were among the last to leave Afghanistan. They provided tremendous support in the global fight against terrorism. They fought alongside U.S. Marines in Afghanistan and earned a reputation as some of the toughest and most formidable military units in the world.”