The United States established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in 1992, at the time of its independence. Secretary of State Baker visited Azerbaijan on February 12, 1992. President George H.W. Bush announced the decision in a press statement on February 19, 1992. The U.S. Embassy in Baku was opened on March 16, 1992, with Robert Finn as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
Together, our countries work to promote European energy security, expand bilateral trade and investment, and combat terrorism and transnational threats. The United States is committed to strengthening democracy and promoting economic diversification in Azerbaijan. The United States strongly supports efforts to pursue a lasting and sustainable political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict including through the OSCE Minsk Group and promotes regional stability, peace, and prosperity.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s diplomatic relations with the U.S. and Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet Union, there is no greater supporter of independence and democracy in the South Caucasus than the United States.
“As a friend of Azerbaijan, the United States is ready to help find peace and construct the economic, transportation, and people-to-people connections to help the entire region prosper.”
Ambassador Litzenberger
Key Dates
President George H.W. Bush regarding the dissolution of the Soviet Union

The United States recognized Azerbaijan’s independence on December 25, 1991, when President George H.W. Bush announced the decision in an address to the nation regarding the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
First Joint Economic Partnership Committee meeting

On February 7, 2007, the United States and Azerbaijan held their first Economic Partnership Committee meeting.
Secretary of State Baker visited Azerbaijan

On February 12, 1992 Secretary of State Baker visited Azerbaijan. He met with Azerbaijani officials and discussed the possible establishment of diplomatic relations.
U.S. President George W. Bush met with President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev

U.S. President George W. Bush met with President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev during his working visit to the U.S. President Bush thanked President Aliyev for the use of Azerbaijan’s air space for the military campaign in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Washington DC.

On March 6, 1992, Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Washington DC.
Opening of the U.S. Embassy in Baku

The U.S. Embassy in Baku was opened on March 16, 1992, with Robert Finn as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
U.S. and Azerbaijani Presidents held a diplomatic meeting in the White House

On the 26th of February, 2003, the President of the United States of America, George Bush and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev held a diplomatic meeting in the White House.
President Heydar Aliyev attended 50th Anniversary NATO Summit

From April 23-26,1999, the 50th Anniversary NATO Summit was held in Washington DC. President Heydar Aliyev attended the event and spoke about the situation in the Caucasus region.
President Ilham Aliyev visited Washington to met with various U.S. officials

In April 2006 President Ilham Aliyev visited Washington and met with various U.S. officials where they discussed a variety of topics, including the development of democracy and cooperation in the Caucasus, energy diversification, and our shared commitment to advancing freedom and security.
U.S. Ambassadors to Azerbaijan
U.S. Ambassadors (1992-2022)
Representative | From | To | Title | Appointed By |
---|---|---|---|---|
Robert Finn | March 16, 1992 | September 15, 1992 | Chargé d’affaires ad interim | George H. W. Bush |
Richard Miles | September 16, 1992 | November 5, 1993 | Ambassador | George H. W. Bush |
Richard Kauzlarich | April 20, 1994 | July 20, 1997 | Ambassador | Bill Clinton |
Stanley T. Escudero | December 4, 1997 | October 1, 2000 | Ambassador | Bill Clinton |
Ross L. Wilson | October 11, 2000 | April 24, 2003 | Ambassador | Bill Clinton |
Reno L. Harnish | December 1, 2003 | April 24, 2006 | Ambassador | George W. Bush |
Anne E. Derse | July 2006 | July 4, 2009 | Ambassador | George W. Bush |
Donald Lu | July 4, 2009 | July 2010 | Chargé d’affaires | Barack Obama |
Matthew Bryza | January 10, 2011 | January 5, 2012 | Ambassador | Barack Obama |
Richard Morningstar | July 20, 2012 | 2015 | Ambassador | Barack Obama |
Robert Cekuta | February 19, 2015 | March 31, 2018 | Ambassador | Barack Obama |
William R. Gill | April 1, 2018 | March 11, 2019 | Chargé d’affaires, a.i. | Donald Trump |
Earle D. Litzenberger | March 12, 2019 | August 20, 2022 | Ambassador | Donald Trump |
Hugo Guevara | August 20, 2022 | current | Chargé d’affaires, a.i. | Joe Biden |
Official Visits to the United States
Azerbaijani presidential visits to the United States
President | Date | Type of visit |
---|---|---|
President H.Aliyev | 25-30 September 1994 | working visit |
President H.Aliyev | 20-26 October 1995 | working visit |
President H.Aliyev | 27 July- 6 August 1997 | official visit |
President H.Aliyev | 22-27 April 1999 | working visit |
President H.Aliyev | 12-18 February 2000 | working visit |
President H.Aliyev | 4-9 September 2000 | working visit |
President H.Aliyev | 1-13 April 2001 | working visit |
President H.Aliyev | 14-23 February 2003 | official visit |
President I.Aliyev | 25-28 April 2006 | official visit |
President I.Aliyev | 24 September 2010 | working visit |
President I.Aliyev | 2-4 May 2012 | working visit |
President I.Aliyev | 20-21 May 2012 | working visit |
President I.Aliyev | April 1, 2016 | official visit |
President I.Aliyev | September 19, 2017 | official visit |