Washington/Baku — August 29, 2025
The governments of Azerbaijan and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a Strategic Working Group to prepare a Charter of Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The agreement was signed in Washington on August 8, 2025, according to President.az and the U.S. State Department.
Focus of Cooperation
The MoU outlines several key spheres of cooperation, including but not limited to:
Expanding investments in the energy sector and developing infrastructure for regional connectivity;
Strengthening cooperation in defense and counterterrorism;
Enhancing regional economic and trade interaction;
Building partnerships in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure investment.
The sides agreed that the Strategic Working Group will prepare the Charter within six months, consolidating these areas into a long-term framework for cooperation.
Terms of the MoU
Duration: The MoU is valid for one year from the date of signing and may be extended by mutual agreement. Either side can withdraw by notifying the other at least 60 days in advance.
Projects: Termination of the MoU will not affect projects already underway.
Legal status: The MoU does not create binding rights or obligations under international or domestic law, nor does it entail financial commitments. Each side will cover its own expenses.
A Broader Context
The MoU was signed alongside the Joint Declaration issued following the Washington meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The State Department has published both the joint declaration and the bilateral MoUs with Azerbaijan and Armenia on its website.
Significance
For Baku, the agreement with Washington marks a major step in diversifying strategic partnerships. The focus on energy, defense, and AI technologies underscores Azerbaijan’s growing role as both a regional hub and a partner for U.S. interests in the South Caucasus.
