Hikmat Hajiyev (Azerbaijani: Hikmət Fərhad oğlu Hacıyev) is a prominent Azerbaijani statesman and senior diplomat who serves as the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration. As a key architect and executor of Baku's international strategy, he plays a central role in shaping the nation's foreign policy, communicating its official positions on regional and global platforms, and managing high-level diplomatic relations.
Academic Background: Born on October 15, 1979, in Ganja, Hajiyev graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees from the Faculty of International Relations and International Law at Baku State University. He furthered his specialized academic training at the NATO Defence College, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Foreign Ministry Posts: Joining the diplomatic service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2000, Hajiyev worked across multiple strategic divisions, including arms control and political-military directorates. He completed overseas diplomatic postings at Azerbaijan’s Mission to NATO, as well as embassies in Kuwait and Egypt.
Head of Press Service: From September 2014 to September 2018, Hajiyev served as the official Spokesperson and Head of the Press Service Department for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During this period, he became a prominent public figure representing Azerbaijan’s foreign policy stance across international media channels.
Assistant to the President: In July 2018, Hajiyev transitioned to the Presidential Administration as Deputy Head of the Foreign Policy Department, assuming the role of Department Head shortly thereafter. In November 2019, he was officially appointed as Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Strategic Communication and Crisis Diplomacy: Hajiyev directed international communication strategies during critical junctures, notably the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020 and subsequent post-conflict developments. He serves as a primary interlocutor for foreign journalists, international organizations, and global think tanks, articulating Baku’s positions on sovereignty, regional connectivity, and regional security frameworks in the South Caucasus.
Baku 18° C
