On August 25, Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Stephen Doughty, the UK Minister of State for Europe, North America, and Overseas Territories. During the meeting, Doughty congratulated Aliyev on the historic results achieved in Washington regarding the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the advancement of the peace agenda, expressing the UK’s readiness to support the process. He also highlighted the importance of outcomes concerning regional transport connectivity and extended congratulations for Azerbaijan’s successful hosting of COP29 and the achievements attained.

Aliyev expressed gratitude and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to advancing the peace agenda and the normalization process with Armenia, recalling UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Azerbaijan during COP29 and their meeting. The leaders exchanged views on the prospects for Azerbaijan-UK relations and noted broad opportunities for cooperation in the economic, trade, information and communication technologies, education, and other sectors. Energy cooperation was also discussed, highlighting the 30-year partnership between Azerbaijan and BP in conventional and renewable energy, with both parties expressing confidence in its continuation. At the end of the meeting, Doughty presented a keepsake to Aliyev.

On the same day, Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom conducted another round of inter-ministerial political consultations, led by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev and Stephen Doughty. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held talks with Doughty in Baku, covering bilateral cooperation in political, economic, energy, transport, climate change, environmental, humanitarian, and educational fields. Particular attention was given to regional and international security issues, with a focus on the South Caucasus peace process. Bayramov provided detailed information on the post-conflict situation in the South Caucasus, the progress of normalization and peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the initialing of a peace agreement at the Washington meeting on August 8, alongside the joint declaration on the closure of the OSCE Minsk Group and related structures.

Participants emphasized Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable partner in energy security, the importance of sustaining cooperation in traditional energy resources, and the development of alternative energy, noting SOCAR and BP’s collaboration in renewable energy. The UK’s contribution to COP29 in Baku in November was welcomed, and both sides highlighted the significance of educational cooperation, joint initiatives, new higher education partnerships, and continued state programs.