Foreign Policy of Heydar Aliyev

Before Heydar Aliyev's leadership, Azerbaijan's foreign policy was marked by uncertainty and ideological approaches. However, during Aliyev's tenure, a balanced foreign policy was adopted. This shift aimed to mitigate risks stemming from previous pro-Western stances under President Ebulfez Elchibey, which led to domestic instability and the potential for foreign intervention, including from Russia, and separatist movements. Azerbaijan entered a second phase in its foreign policy, focusing on priorities like peaceful coexistence, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and active diplomatic engagement. Heydar Aliyev strategically balanced relations with neighboring countries (Russia, Turkey, Iran) and major global powers (USA, China, Europe). France and England, among the European states, as permanent UN Security Council members, held particular significance in this approach.