Azerbaijan's foreign policy is multifaceted and comprehensive. This is confirmed by the relations of official Baku with the United States, the European Union, Russia, other CIS countries, the Eastern Partnership countries, NATO and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The attention of the world community to Azerbaijan is due to its adherence to the principles and norms of international law, as well as the UN Charter, and its opposition to violations in this matter. These factors contribute to the growth of its prestige in the international arena. Azerbaijan has confirmed this by liberating its lands from the occupation under these principles and the UN Charter.
The foreign policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev on the basis of global and regional security, protection of international law and proposals for cooperation has attracted more attention to the country. Azerbaijan has held talks at various levels with the leaders of the United States, the European Union, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, NATO, Turkiye, Iran, Arab countries, China and Pakistan. The organization of numerous NATO meetings in Baku stems from the Alliance's confidence in Azerbaijan. In this regard, official Moscow also treats Azerbaijan as a partner more reliable than others. In this regard, Baku is one of the few places where NATO and US military leaders hold talks with the heads of the Russian Armed Forces.
In recent months, tensions between the Western bloc and the Kremlin have led to a Russia-Ukraine war. One of the world's hotbeds of conflict has flared up again. Russia has launched military operations in Ukraine. Official Baku has taken a neutral position in this armed conflict following international law and norms. It maintained good relations with both sides and showed objectivity. In the first days of Russia's military operations, President Ilham Aliyev's contacts with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirm the great confidence in Azerbaijan. A day later, the head of state discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin the situation with the escalation of events in Ukraine, as well as Russian-Azerbaijani relations. Azerbaijan considers it to be most accurate to solve the Ukraine crisis within international law and the UN Charter, as it experienced the cases of armed conflict, separatism, violation of territorial integrity, and foreign interference in this issue. Taking into account the trust of both parties, official Baku offered the parties mediation. Official Baku successfully mediated between Georgia and Russia during the August 2008 events. Azerbaijan has fulfilled its humanitarian duty by providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Meetings and telephone conversations held by President Ilham Aliyev over the past month prove the correctness of official Baku's position.
NATO is often mentioned in conflicts in the post-Soviet space. And now, one of Russia's main demands is Ukraine's neutrality and non-membership in the Alliance. In this regard, the talks between the NATO leadership and official Baku last month are noteworthy. Last month, in a telephone conversation between President Ilham Aliyev and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, they expressed satisfaction with the development of Azerbaijan-NATO relations. The sides exchanged views on the post-conflict situation in the South Caucasus region, the processes taking place around Ukraine and the current situation in the world energy market. Thus, the most influential military-political union has demonstrated the value and attention it pays to Azerbaijan. Discussion of the situation in Ukraine with Ilham Aliyev is an indicator of Azerbaijan's authority in the international arena and the trust it has achieved.
Moldova, a neighbour of Ukraine, is one of the post-Soviet countries whose territorial integrity has been violated. The Azerbaijani leader exchanged views on regional issues during a telephone conversation with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. This is an indication of an attitude to Azerbaijan's difficult and successful path. Resolving the conflict and maintaining normal relations with Russia and the West are the result of the policy pursued by official Baku. The talks between the leaders of Moldova and Azerbaijan can also be assessed in this regard. It is no secret that Poland supports official Kyiv in the Russian-Ukrainian war. This country also has very close relations with Azerbaijan. Against the background of recent events, a telephone conversation between Polish President Andrzej Duda and Ilham Aliyev is an indicator of Azerbaijan's prestige in the international arena. During the telephone conversation with his Polish counterpart, the Azerbaijani President exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields.
Azerbaijan's political and trade relations with the United Kingdom are also developing. In the first nine months of 2021, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom amounted to $550.655 million, 90.5% more than the previous year. During the reporting period, the exports amounted to $336.737 million, 4.6 times more than a year ago. As a result, in the first nine months of 2021, the positive trade balance stood at $122.818 million. In January 2022, Azerbaijan's trade turnover with the United Kingdom amounted to $145.963 million, 6.1 times more than in January last year. Such relations are also developing with other countries. We have cited Britain as an example given its position in world politics and trade. The congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Boris Johnson on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan also shows the expansion of relations and mutual trust.
Azerbaijan and the European Union also have normal relations. It is true that during the 44-day war, the leading EU members could not maintain their impartiality. One of them was France and its President, Emmanuel Macron. However, recently there has been a positive change in his attitude towards Azerbaijan. This can be assessed as a result of the objective position of official Baku in the international arena. In a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, the President of Azerbaijan discussed the crisis in Ukraine and the provision of humanitarian assistance to this country.
On March 14, President of the European Council Charles Michel phoned President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. They discussed the post-conflict period in the South Caucasus, the process of contacts and normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the opening of communications and delimitation of borders. Charles Michel noted that the European Union would continue to support stability, peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus. The sides also discussed the development of recent events in Ukraine and their possible impact on regional security in the South Caucasus.
The Russia-Ukraine war has raised various concerns in Europe. The fact that the European leaders discussed the situation with official Baku indicates its growing prestige. Discussions with President Ilham Aliyev on the events in the conflict zone and the provision of humanitarian assistance there prove that Azerbaijan's value and prestige in the international arena have increased. European leaders consider the stance of official Baku on matters and respect its objective position.
Azerbaijan's successful foreign policy is once again reflected in the expansion of relations with Turkiye. The situation in the South Caucasus after the 44-day war has created a qualitatively new situation in Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. Implementation of the Shusha Declaration is also a guarantee for regional stability, security and cooperation. In this regard, Azerbaijan is one of the regional guarantors. Therefore, the new realities created by Azerbaijan in the region have taken relations with Turkiye to a new level. During his recent visit to Turkiye, President Ilham Aliyev met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was noted at the meeting that with the signing of the Shusha Declaration and the approval of this document in the parliaments of both countries, Azerbaijan-Turkiye fraternal and friendly relations have further developed in the form of an alliance. This is not only one of the many examples that Azerbaijan is a loyal partner, but also an indicator of the attitude of states belonging to the same ethnic group. Such a relationship between the two states can be considered one of the best examples of international law.
The 43-year tension between Washington and Tehran is known to everyone. However, official Baku can maintain and develop relations with these irreconcilable parties without giving preference to any of them. With its successful foreign policy, Azerbaijan also attracted Iran into cooperation. Iranian officials took a very tough stance against Azerbaijan during and after the 44-day war. They were participants in a smear campaign against Azerbaijan. However, the signing of a historic memorandum between the two countries on March 11 confirmed the correctness of official Baku's tactics of peaceful coexistence and cooperation with neighbouring countries. Within the 15th meeting of the State Commission for Economic, Trade and Humanitarian Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in Baku, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of Iran on the establishment of new communication links between East Zangazur and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic by passing through the territory of Iran.
Azerbaijan-US relations are also expanding. Recently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone conversation with the President of Azerbaijan. The sides exchanged views on issues related to the post-conflict period in the South Caucasus, including the process of normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as security issues in the region.
These and other contacts of the head of state are numerous examples of Azerbaijan's growing prestige and positive image in the international arena. It is one of the world's leading hydrocarbons suppliers. Therefore, contacts and cooperation in this direction will give impetus to the growing prestige of Azerbaijan. Based on what is happening in the world, it can be said that attention to the country will increase in the near future. Azerbaijan will once again demonstrate that it is a capable and reliable player on the global and regional political scene.