Azerbaijan’s foreign policy amid the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: challenges and solutions (1993–1994)

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the main directions of the foreign policy course of the Republic of Azerbaijan during 1993–1994, a period marked by a complex domestic political situation exacerbated by the conflict with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The formation of foreign policy during this period became a key element in ensuring national security, social progress, and economic development, making it an integral part of the state’s overall strategy. The author examines materials from the media of Azerbaijan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia, as well as official documents and statements by the President of Azerbaijan, concluding that the country’s foreign policy was characterized by a multi-vector approach. Particular attention is given to the activities of Heydar Aliyev, who, having assumed leadership of the country during a period of political chaos and heightened tensions surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, focused on strengthening Azerbaijan’s domestic stability and international standing. His strategic priorities included developing bilateral relations with Turkey, Western countries, and Iran, while gradually distancing Azerbaijan from Russian influence, as reflected in the shift toward NATO partnerships. However, in the mid-1990s, amidst a complex geopolitical environment and the global balance of power in the region, Azerbaijan’s policy began to prioritize improving relations with Russia, symbolized by Heydar Aliyev’s visit to Moscow in 1996. Thus, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy during this period represented a delicate balance between maintaining regional stability, safeguarding national interests, and integrating into global political and economic processes.