Sanitary London: what is behind the rapprochement between Great Britain and Azerbaijan
The UK and Azerbaijan are preparing major joint projects: modernization of water infrastructure, development of green energy and cooperation in the field of security. Earlier, the parties brought cooperation to a strategic level. However, as experts interviewed by Izvestia note, London's activation in this area is only part of a broader strategy to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus. About why the United Kingdom is increasing its presence in the region, see the Izvestia article.
A new level
Over the past 30 years, cooperation in the energy sector, primarily in the projects of the BP oil and gas company, has remained the basis of Azerbaijani-British economic relations. This secured the UK the status of one of the largest investors in the republic's economy — in the first half of last year alone, the volume of investments amounted to $806 million.
Currently, the cooperation between the two countries is gradually moving beyond the traditional energy agenda. In 2025, the parties moved relations to a strategic level, and now the first areas of practical cooperation are beginning to appear.
According to the trade attache of the British Embassy in Baku, Elvin Raziev, London is considering the possibility of using financial instruments worth up to 5 billion pounds (more than 517 billion rubles) to implement projects in Azerbaijan. It is assumed that we are talking about comprehensive support for infrastructure development, rather than individual industries.
"After the joint decision is made, an official statement will be made. Water infrastructure is considered as one of the possible priority areas. Outdated networks are considered one of the main causes of water losses, so modernization projects are being studied in this area," Raziyev told the Azerbaijani portal Report.
The expansion of cooperation is not limited to the water sector. In particular, BP intends to participate in the development of renewable energy in the country. In December 2025, solar panels worth $13 million were already delivered to Jabrayil. Another new area is the security sector. Last year, the United Kingdom lifted the arms embargo that had been in effect since 1992.
— In recent years, cooperation between the two countries has developed in almost all areas, with the exception of the military-technical sphere. Today, it is considered as one of the priorities. After the end of the Second Karabakh War, new conditions were formed in the region: the conflict with Armenia was actually left behind, which removed one of the key political constraints for Western countries, including Great Britain," political analyst Ilgar Velizade explained to Izvestia.
Ulterior motives
The United Kingdom, like other Western states, has joined the struggle for influence in the entire South Caucasus region, experts interviewed by Izvestia note. So, in the summer of 2025, London also raised the level of relations with Armenia to a strategic level. It is known that it also includes the defense sector: for the first time, a military attache was appointed at the British Embassy in Yerevan.
— The region is becoming particularly important as a logistics corridor providing connectivity between Central Asia and Western countries. In this context, Azerbaijan, and to a certain extent Armenia, are considered as important transit links, including for British interests," he said.
At the same time, London's approaches to the two countries differ. While cooperation with Baku is based on energy, infrastructure and transit potential, the main focus in relations with Yerevan is on supporting economic reforms and inclusive development.
However, as noted by political analyst Archil Sikharulidze, the interest of the European Union and the UK in the region is explained only by the desire to diversify energy supplies and reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas.
— In these conditions, Azerbaijan acquires special importance for the European energy sector. Despite the peculiarities of the country's political system, Baku is considered as a supplier of energy resources and a key partner for the implementation of oil and gas projects, he stressed.
According to him, the regional approach remains heterogeneous. With regard to Armenia, the European strategy is likely to be implemented gradually, through a gradual deepening of cooperation and encouraging a reduction in dependence on Russia.
— But to what extent Yerevan is ready to go for a serious deterioration of relations with Moscow is an open question. For Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the support from Brussels is also of domestic political importance, allowing him to strengthen his position on the eve of the elections. In turn, for Baku, deepening relations with the EU is part of a broader strategy to strengthen political influence," the source told Izvestia.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and US Vice President Jay Dee Vance at the welcoming ceremony. Armenia, Yerevan. February 9th, 2026
The United States is also active in the region. In early February, American Vice President Jay D. Vance visited the countries of the South Caucasus. Following the visit, agreements were reached with Yerevan on cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, and a Charter on Strategic Partnership in the fields of energy, Trade, defense and Security was signed with Baku.
"Time will tell how successful the policy of Western countries will be," Velizade sums up. — But the development of relations with the United States, Great Britain and other countries does not mean abandoning cooperation with alternative centers of power. If different partners offer comparable conditions, the states of the region will choose the most profitable formats of cooperation. Ultimately, their foreign policy is determined by pragmatic interests.
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