Syria’s new government has moved quickly to increase ties with Azerbaijan. Baku has also been supportive of the new Syrian government. Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara’a met Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on July 12. This is an important meeting and Shara’a visited Azerbaijan in order to show how important this country is to Damascus.
Syrian state media noted that “President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and his accompanying delegation met President of Azerbaijan’s Republic Ilham Aliyev at Zogulba Palace in Baku.”
Azertac, the Azerbaijan state news agency provided more details of the meeting. It said that Aliyev had welcomed the Syrian leader. “President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s visit to Azerbaijan would significantly contribute to the development of bilateral relations,” Azertac noted.
Syrian state media noted that “President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and his accompanying delegation met President of Azerbaijan’s Republic Ilham Aliyev at Zogulba Palace in Baku.” Azertac, the Azerbaijan state news agency, provided more details of the meeting.
It said that Aliyev had welcomed the Syrian leader. “President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s visit to Azerbaijan would significantly contribute to the development of bilateral relations,” Azertac noted.
Baku noted that the previous Syrian regime had unfriendly policies toward Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s leader “emphasized that the establishment of the new government in Syria has opened significant prospects for the advancement of ties,” Azertac noted. “Recalling the visit of an Azerbaijani delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Syria, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted that discussions during the visit focused on projects to enhance cooperation in various fields.”
Aliyev also met Shara’a during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. Ankara is a close ally of Baku and of Damascus. Syria’s new government wants to cooperate with Baku in many fields, including economic issues and humanitarian and political issues. The countries are also focused on energy.
Baku can help to supply Syria with some of its energy needs, such as through the export of gas to Syria. The leaders said a project would be implemented, according to the Azertac website.
“Ahmad Al-Sharaa emphasized the significance of Azerbaijan’s contribution to addressing Syria’s energy issues, noting its importance for the country’s development.”
The countries are also focused on energy. Baku can help to supply Syria with some of its energy needs, such as through the export of gas to Syria. The leaders said a project would be implemented, according to the Azertac website. “Ahmad Al-Sharaa emphasized the significance of Azerbaijan’s contribution to addressing Syria’s energy issues, noting its importance for the country’s development.”
Syrian students are also receiving scholarships to study in Baku. “Considering Azerbaijan’s experience in reconstruction and restoration in its liberated territories, they noted that Azerbaijan could contribute to Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction process,” the Azeri media noted.
Azerbaijan ties with Israel signal possible mediation for normalization
Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of Israel, and the countries have close ties. This means that the meeting also comes in the context of US engagement with Damascus and support for possible reconciliation between Damascus and Jerusalem. For instance, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack has been closely involved in developments in Syria and also in Lebanon regarding Hezbollah. Azerbaijan is also involved more in energy issues with Israel.
Calcalist reported in late June that the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) was involved in a recent deal to acquire a 10 percent stake in the Tamar offshore gas field. With many changes in the region, the Syria-Azerbaijan relationship is important, and it is also important in the regional context because Baku has warm ties with Turkey and Israel.