Flag

An official website of the United States government

30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
19 MINUTE READ

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)

RepresentativeFromToTitleAppointed By
Robert FinnMarch 16, 1992September 15, 1992Chargé d’affaires ad interimGeorge H. W. Bush
Richard MilesSeptember 16, 1992November 5, 1993AmbassadorGeorge H. W. Bush
Richard KauzlarichApril 20, 1994July 20, 1997AmbassadorBill Clinton
Stanley T. EscuderoDecember 4, 1997October 1, 2000AmbassadorBill Clinton
Ross L. WilsonOctober 11, 2000April 24, 2003AmbassadorBill Clinton
Reno L. HarnishDecember 1, 2003April 24, 2006AmbassadorGeorge W. Bush
Anne E. DerseJuly 2006July 4, 2009AmbassadorGeorge W. Bush
Donald LuJuly 4, 2009July 2010Chargé d’affairesBarack Obama
Matthew BryzaJanuary 10, 2011January 5, 2012AmbassadorBarack Obama
Richard MorningstarJuly 20, 20122015AmbassadorBarack Obama
Robert CekutaFebruary 19, 2015March 31, 2018AmbassadorBarack Obama
William R. GillApril 1, 2018March 11, 2019Chargé d’affaires, a.i.Donald Trump
Earle D. LitzenbergerMarch 12, 2019August 20, 2022AmbassadorDonald Trump
Hugo GuevaraAugust 20, 2022currentChargé d’affaires, a.i.Joe Biden

Official Visits to the United States

Azerbaijani presidential visits to the United States

PresidentDateType of visit
President H.Aliyev25-30 September 1994working visit
President H.Aliyev20-26 October 1995working visit
President H.Aliyev27 July- 6 August 1997official visit
President H.Aliyev22-27 April 1999working visit
President H.Aliyev12-18 February 2000working visit
President H.Aliyev4-9 September 2000working visit
President H.Aliyev1-13 April 2001working visit
President H.Aliyev14-23 February 2003official visit
President I.Aliyev25-28 April 2006official visit
President I.Aliyev24 September 2010working visit
President I.Aliyev2-4 May 2012working visit
President I.Aliyev20-21 May 2012working visit
President I.AliyevApril 1, 2016official visit
President I.AliyevSeptember 19, 2017official visit