The U.S.-Armenia Charter Interpreted in Baku

On January 14, a strategic partnership charter was signed between Armenia and the United States (U.S.). U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking about the document, emphasized efforts to strengthen Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He expressed confidence that the strategic partnership agreement would contribute to creating a "more resilient, peaceful, secure, and independent" South Caucasus.

Some local experts in Baku now believe that Azerbaijan, which has been in conflict with Armenia for years, should also work on improving relations with the U.S. However, they also think the agreement between Armenia and the U.S. might provoke a negative reaction in Russia.

Azerbaijani officials have not yet commented on the signing of the charter. However, Asim Mollazade, a member of the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Ties, told Turan News Agency that the agreement between Armenia and the U.S. seems somewhat "ridiculous":
"The current U.S. administration is already leaving the White House, and they won’t have the ability to implement American policies in the future. By signing this agreement with Armenia, this administration is repaying its last debt to the Armenian diaspora."

Mollazade hopes that future U.S. policies will align with the country’s national interests: "Azerbaijan could also develop policies based on mutual interests with the next U.S. administration. The charter signed by Blinken and Mirzoyan can be seen as a document that damages America's image."

According to Mollazade, the document signed between Armenia and the U.S. does not pose a problem for Russia: "Armenia continues its relations with Russia. Trade turnover between the two has increased significantly. Armenia provides significant support to Russia and acts as its representative in the West. Some Western countries even use Armenia to bypass sanctions. Russia, in turn, uses Armenia in ways that serve its own interests."

However, official Yerevan denies allegations that Armenia is used by Western countries to circumvent sanctions against Russia.

Mustafa Hajibeyli, Deputy Chairman of the opposition Musavat Party, told Radio Azadliq that Azerbaijan's current policy is largely directed against the West and specifically the Biden administration: "The government’s media conducts total propaganda against the U.S. I think this is wrong. It contradicts Azerbaijan’s national interests."

Hajibeyli noted that the U.S. might clash with some of the Azerbaijani government’s interests but added: "Azerbaijan's state interests require being allied with strong nations. The U.S. is the world’s leading power, and being an ally and cooperating with it is more beneficial for Azerbaijan than for the U.S. Azerbaijan should work with powerful states to serve its own interests."

Elkhan Shahinoglu, head of the Atlas Research Center, also believes Azerbaijan should improve its relations with the U.S.: "President Ilham Aliyev, in recent interviews, has expressed hope for close ties with the new U.S. President, Donald Trump (set to take office on January 20). Relations with the Biden administration were effectively cold."

The expert highlighted the continued provocations by Russia and Iran against Azerbaijan: "Russia has not compensated for the downed aircraft, nor have the perpetrators been punished. Meanwhile, Iran has made insulting remarks about the Azerbaijani President. In such circumstances, we must strengthen our strategic alliance with Turkey and work on normalizing relations with the new U.S. administration."

An Azerbaijani Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25 last year. The plane, flying from Baku to Grozny, is believed to have been shot down over Russian territory. The black box is still being investigated. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized, Russia has not confirmed that its armed forces were responsible for the incident, which claimed 38 lives.

Shahinoglu added that if the Trump administration seeks to expand relations with Azerbaijan, a corresponding agreement could be signed between the two countries. He noted that Armenia has specific objectives in signing the agreement with the U.S.: "First, a law regarding EU membership was adopted, and a few days later, this agreement with the U.S. was signed. Armenia’s goal is to protect itself from potential threats from Russia."

Shahinoglu stated that there is nothing particularly new in the U.S.-Armenia charter: "The signing of the agreement was essential for both sides. The U.S. is trying to push Russia out, while Armenia seeks security guarantees."