BILATERAL RELATIONS

Azerbaijan - Australia relations

Bilateral relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth of Australia

Brief historical information: recognition and establishment of bilateral relations

The Commonwealth of Australia recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic contacts between two countries have been established on June 19, 1992. On April 6, 2012, a law was adopted on establishing of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Commonwealth of Australia. On January 16, 2013, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev issued the Decree on the appointment of Mr. Rovshan Jamshidov Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Commonwealth of Australia. On June 26, 2013, Ambassador R. Jamshidov presented his credentials to H.E. Quentin Bryce, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

High level visits

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, as a President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan visited Australia on September 15 – October 1, 2000, connected with the Sydney Olympic Games.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Khalaf Khalafov, visited Australia on April 16-20, 2012.

The Prime Minister's Special Envoy to Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus, Dr Russell Trood visited Azerbaijan on June 28-30 2012. 

Mr.William Fischer, Ambassador of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the issues of Struggle against Terrorism, visited Azerbaijan on September 13-15, 2013.

Inter-parliamentary relations

On April 8, 2011, working group oninter-parliamentary relations between Azerbaijan and Australia was established in the Milli Majlis (parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Head of the working group is Mr. Khanlar Fatiyev. Members are Sahib Aliyev, Azer Badamov, Ismail Hajiyev, Asim Mollazade and Chingiz Asadullayev.

In February 2009, Sabir Rustemkhanly, member of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, visited Australia.

Cooperation by spheres: 

1. Politics: Two countries cooperate in the framework of the United Nations and peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. In the framework of the Partnership for Peace Program of NATO, Australia contributed nearly 50.000USD to clearance of unexploded ordnances in Salogluvillage of Agstafaregion of Azerbaijan left from the former soviet military base. 
2. Economy: Azerbaijan exports crude oil to Australia. Butter is imported from Australia. Trade turnover between two countries was approximately nearly 100 million USD in 2012.
3. Humanitarian sphere: An agreement was reached to sign Memorandum of Cooperation between Australian National University and educational institutions in the sphere of music in Azerbaijan for establishment of cultural contacts and exchange of students. 35 students from Azerbaijan study in the Australian universities

Bilateral agreements:The only document between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth of Australia is the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services (code share) between Australia and the Republic of Azerbaijan signed on December 8, 2012.