By Ms. Vija Buša, Northern Europe Policy Centre expert, Former Acting Head of the Latvian Mission in Azerbaijan

Latvia and Azerbaijan are united not only by historical and cultural ties, but also by active bilateral cooperation at the political, economic, and cultural levels, taking place within the framework of the strategic partnership.

Since the start of this year, visits and meetings have taken place in the fields of agriculture, education, and the arts. In March, a delegation of the Parliament of Azerbaijan visited Latvia in framework of the interparliamentary relations working group. In April, the 9th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific-Technical and Cultural Cooperation was held in Azerbaijan. The Latvian delegation, led by Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze, visited Shusha —a symbolic city for Azerbaijan in the regained Karabakh — as well as Khankendi. Minister Krauze underlined that Latvian Ministry of Agriculture is ready to assist in the restoration of natural ecosystems and forest resources in Karabakh.

At the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission sides focused on seeking new opportunities for developing mutual trade and expanding cooperations as well as a strong interest in stregnnening intergovernmental and interpaliamentary interactions was emphasized.

It is of utmost importance to underline the dynamics of current relations in the doorstep of upcoming top-level visit to Azerbaijan. In April 21-23, the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan, where he will also open the Latvia–Azerbaijan Business Forum and meet with the Latvian community in Azerbaijan.

What does this all mean in bilateral relations?

High-level visits and the active cooperation across a wide range of areas confirm the strategic partnership between Latvia and Azerbaijan, and indicate the sustainability of bilateral relations. Since the signing of the Strategic Partnership Declaration in 2017, political dialogue has intensified. Together with Nordic-Baltic partners, Latvia commended positive dynamics in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process and discussed regional security, also holding frequent political dialogue with Azerbaijan. Moreover, Latvia is a Member State of the European Union that is interested in promoting close cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan. Latvia also shows strong interest in strengthening Azerbaijan’s partnership with the NATO.

Education is one of the priorities in the economic cooperation between the two countries. For many years, the number of Azerbaijani students studying in Latvia has been measured in the hundreds.

Latvia is interested in further cooperation with Azerbaijan in education, particularly in higher education and research, including promoting the mobility of students, researchers, and academic personnel, exchanging information and experience, and developing joint projects.

The LEF Network Azerbaijan – successful Central Baltic project lead by Latvia has achieved significant outcomes, contributing to international economic cooperation and fostering entrepreneurship in 2023-2025. Results include trade missions to Azerbaijan and LEF countries, B2B meetings and business forums held, ~15 Memorands of Understanding signed. The project concluded with approximately 20 export contracts with Azerbaijan, promoting sustainable economic cooperation.

Why are the bilateral partnership and cooperation between Latvia and Azerbaijan so important?

In the current complex geopolitical environment, regional cooperation is becoming especially important. Latvia and Azerbaijan do not share a common border, but they do share a common neighbour – Russia. Russia has created numerous regional and global challenges. Its war against Ukraine has posed threats not only to security, but also to the rules-based international order and global economy. To counter this, common platforms, a shared understanding of ongoing processes, and coordinated action in both politics and economics are essential. As a strong supporter of Ukraine in Europe, Latvia fully recognizes Azerbaijan’s support for Ukraine in helping to preserve its independence and restore its territorial integrity.

Another significant geopolitical challenge is the war in Middle East. This affects not only neighbouring countries such as Azerbaijan, but also many states and economies in Europe, including Latvia, as well as the stability and economic balance of the entire world. Latvia voiced strong protests on Iran’s assault on Nakhchivan and full solidarity with Azerbaijan recently in March and noted the pragmatic approach in Baku to ensure stability and security in the region.

It appears that Latvia is interested in advancing further cooperation with Azerbaijan and that there are a lot of business opportunities. There has been a positive trend seen in the development of economic ties. Latvia intends to strengthen cooperation in such areas as ICT, smart energy and green technologies, including agriculture, higher and vocational education, and research. Despite the consequences of the geopolitical situation, Azerbaijan is an important partner of Latvia’s foreign trade, creating new opportunities for bilateral trade as both countries have significant potential to expand cooperation in the economic and educational sectors as well as in the cultural and research projects.

In the first half of 2025, bilateral trade turnover between Latvia and Azerbaijan reached about €28 million and has typically reflected modest but growing economic ties.

The main categories of goods exported from Latvia to Azerbaijan currently are food products, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural and forestry products. It reflects strong cooperation in agriculture and food security.

Culture plays a particularly important role in relations between the two countries. Ties in this field are especially close and have been developing for centuries. It should be noted that this year marks an important anniversary, 120 years since the founding of the Baku Latvian Society in 1906. At that time, hundreds of Latvians lived in Baku, including prominent writers, composers, artists, and later politicians. The composer Jāzeps Mediņš, the writer Ernests Birznieks-Upītis and the writer and painter Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš, as well as the architects Eižens Laube and Pauls Mandelštams lived and worked in Baku at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It promoted exchange between Latvian and Azerbaijani cultures that highlight Latvian heritage and culture. The supplied arts — especially carpet patterns — were studied and documented, and drawing was taught in Shusha by the artist and founder of Latvian design art Jūlijs Straume, creating a bridge between Caucasian and Latvian art traditions.

In conclusion, the dynamic development of bilateral relations between Latvia and Azerbaijan should be underlined. It ensures strong partnership and hope that new rules of the current world will not affect European values and will strengthen both sides politically and economically.