BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21. The visit of
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs to Azerbaijan on April 21-23 and
the Latvian-Azerbaijani business forum are taking place against the
backdrop of actively expanding bilateral cooperation. Today,
Azerbaijan and Latvia are developing a strategic rapprochement
between the Baltic region and the South Caucasus, establishing a
new level of political dialogue, economic cooperation, and
interregional connectivity in a changing geopolitical reality.
Azerbaijan and Latvia are creating a cooperation model that
combines political trust, institutional resilience, and growing
business interest in practical projects in logistics, energy,
digitalization, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže
emphasized in an exclusive interview with Trend, relations between the two
countries have long reached a qualitatively new level.
“Moreover, since 2017 these relations have been elevated to the
level of a strategic partnership, reflecting a high degree of
mutual trust and understanding. In the current turbulent
geopolitical environment, the importance of such strategic
relations cannot be underestimated,” she said.
According to her, the cooperation encompasses a wide range of
directions – from political dialogue to economic and
people-to-people contacts.
“Relations between Latvia and Azerbaijan are traditionally close
and constructive, encompassing excellent political dialogue,
inter-parliamentary exchanges, sectoral cooperation, economic and
people-to-people contacts,” she said.
According to Braže, the shared commitment to the principles of
international law is of particular importance.
“We share a common understanding of the importance of the UN
Charter, namely multilateralism, international law, and the
rules-based international order, as well as respect for the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent states,” the
minister explained.
Latvia also underscores its role as the European Union (EU)
country in fostering practical cooperation between Azerbaijan and
EU.
“We also commend the positive dynamics in the EU – Azerbaijan
relations, where Latvia, as an EU Member State, is engaged in
fostering closer dialogue and practical cooperation for mutually
beneficial engagement,” she noted.
The economic dimension of relations demonstrates steady growth
and diversification.
From January through March of this year, mutual trade volume
amounted to $6 million, reflecting a growth of 14% compared to the
same period last year. Azerbaijani exports totaled $1.8 million,
while supplies from Latvia reached $4.27 million, an increase of
27.1%.
Direct Latvian investment in the Azerbaijani economy in 2025
amounted to $6.945 million, confirming the growing interest of
Latvian businesses in the region.
A key political and economic event was the 9th meeting of the
Intergovernmental Commission in Shusha, where the parties
reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation. The signing
of the final protocol on April 16, 2026, solidified the
institutional framework for cooperation and outlined a wide range
of promising areas: from agro-processing and forestry to digital
government and aviation logistics.
The importance of trade diversification, expanding investment
opportunities, developing ICT, transport infrastructure, and
educational exchanges is emphasized.
Transport and logistics cooperation remains one of the most
promising areas, particularly in the context of developing the
Middle Corridor.
Latvia views Azerbaijan as a key partner in the South Caucasus
and a transit hub between Asia and Europe. According to Latvia, the
development of multimodal routes through the Caspian region opens
new opportunities for integrating Latvia’s port infrastructure into
Eurasian supply chains.
The development of Riga Airport as a regional cargo hub, as well
as the integration of Latvian ports into expanded logistics routes
are of particular interest. Latvia also emphasizes the potential
for digitalization of transport and customs processes as a key
factor in improving the corridor’s efficiency.
Latvian companies are increasingly showing interest in
Azerbaijan in the areas of digital technology, agribusiness, food
processing, education, and professional services.
Institutional mechanisms for interaction are becoming
particularly important. The signing of a memorandum in October 2025
between the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ASK, the
Caspian Energy Club, and the Nordic Business Community Azerbaijan
created a new platform for business dialogue.
Furthermore, green energy is becoming a key new area of
cooperation. Latvia views Azerbaijan as a promising partner in
the development of solar and wind energy, as well as in research
and technology exchange. Ensuring investment in sustainable energy
capacity, particularly wind and solar power generation, is
considered a strategic priority.
Regional stability is of particular importance in the new
cooperation architecture.
Latvia commends the agreements reached on August 8, 2025, in
Washington.
“They mark a significant breakthrough to end decades of
conflict,” the minister announced.
She stressed that the peace treaty will open new opportunities
for regional cooperation and connectivity with Europe.
Latvia expresses its willingness to participate in restoration
projects in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. These include
green energy zones, water and waste management, infrastructure
rehabilitation, the design and restoration of cultural sites, and
reforestation. The forestry sector is of particular interest. It is
worth noting that 53% of Latvia’s territory is covered by forests,
and the country has extensive experience in reforestation. Latvia
is open to investing in forestry in Azerbaijan.
Thus, the current stage of relations between Azerbaijan and
Latvia is characterized by a transition from a framework strategic
partnership to practical economic integration.
The ongoing dynamic of cooperation cements a new phase of
interaction, in which political dialogue is directly translated
into investment projects, infrastructure solutions, and
technological cooperation.
In the context of the transformation of the international and
regional architecture, Azerbaijan and Latvia are developing a
strategic rapprochement between the Baltic region and the South
Caucasus, strengthening the role of bilateral partnership as a link
between the two regions and creating a basis for more
practice-oriented and multifaceted cooperation in the future.