BAKU (Realist English). June marked an intensification of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy efforts across several tracks – from regional diplomacy and transport integration to cooperation with Japan in energy and technology. At the same time, Baku addressed humanitarian issues following the deaths of its citizens in the Sea of Azov and sent condolences to Pakistan over a military helicopter crash.
Bodies of Azerbaijani Citizens Repatriated
On June 10, the bodies of four Azerbaijani citizens who died as a result of a drone attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov were brought back to Azerbaijan. The attack occurred on the night of June 5.
Ukrainian drones struck five vessels, including the bulk carriers Natra and Circon, on board of which were 25 Azerbaijani citizens. The strike killed four Azerbaijani citizens and one Russian citizen. Earlier, during search and rescue operations, the bodies of 57‑year‑old Gismat Aliyev and 45‑year‑old Fuad Orujov were recovered.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry expressed its deep condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased. “With deep sorrow we express our condolences to the families and relatives of our compatriots who died in this tragedy,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Summit in Istanbul: Declaration on Cooperation Signed
On June 8, the 10th trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia took place in Istanbul, where the Istanbul Declaration was adopted. The document was signed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili.
In the declaration, the parties reaffirmed their mutual support for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in transport, energy and trade. Particular attention was paid to the development of regional transport projects along the Middle Corridor, including the Baku – Tbilisi – Kars (BTK) railway, as well as the expansion of logistics networks. The parties welcomed the completion of modernisation work on the BTK project at the Akhalkalaki International Railway Station in Georgia.
In the energy sector, the strategic contribution of the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor to regional and European energy security was highly appreciated. Support for the development of “green energy” and the use of renewable energy sources was also reaffirmed. The declaration also highly praised Azerbaijan’s successful hosting of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) and Turkey’s chairmanship of the COP31 climate conference.
Armenian–Turkish “Normalisation”: Coordination with Baku
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Ankara continues the process of normalising relations with Armenia in close coordination with Azerbaijan.
“We support the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We also wish to see the legitimate concerns of Azerbaijan addressed and a peace treaty signed without delay. The normalisation process we are conducting with Armenia also continues in close coordination with Azerbaijan. Important progress has been made in this direction over the past four years,” Fidan said.
He also stressed that further strengthening peace in the region should contribute to the development of transport infrastructure and the implementation of new economic projects.
Pashinyan: Peace with Azerbaijan and Open Border with Turkey
Following the victory of the ruling Civil Contract party in the parliamentary elections of June 7, 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a press conference on June 8 that he is committed to institutionalising peace with Azerbaijan and opening the border with Turkey.
“In the past parliamentary elections, the people of Armenia voted for peace, regional development and cooperation. I hope that both Turkey and Azerbaijan will respond positively. We must institutionalise peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and open our border with Turkey – I mean that Turkey must open the border. Furthermore, we need to establish diplomatic relations,” Pashinyan said.
He recalled that Armenia and Azerbaijan have already initialled a peace agreement. “We must sign it. We need to launch the TRIPP project as soon as possible, which is a turning point for the region. This will mean that the blockade of our region has been overcome, and this is very good news, because our region is turning from a dead end into a crossroads,” the prime minister added.
Azerbaijani–Japanese Talks in Tokyo
On June 10, during an official visit to Tokyo, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with members of the Japan–Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship League. A broad exchange of views took place on the current state and prospects of bilateral relations. The important role of leading Japanese companies ITOCHU and INPEX as reliable partners of Azerbaijan in the energy sector, especially in the implementation of oil and gas projects, was noted.
Bayramov informed the Japanese side about the process of normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the steps taken by Baku, large‑scale reconstruction work in the “liberated territories”, and targeted measures to counter the landmine threat.
Condolences to Pakistan
On June 11, Azerbaijani Defence Minister Colonel‑General Zakir Hasanov sent condolences to the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Pakistan – the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The reason for the condolences was the crash of a Pakistan Army Aviation Mi‑17 helicopter near Muzaffarabad, in which all on board died. In his message, Minister Hasanov expressed deep condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased.
