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- Pivotal Moments in Azerbaijan–United Kingdom Relations in the 1990s: A Historiographical Analysis
Pivotal Moments in Azerbaijan–United Kingdom Relations in the 1990s: A Historiographical Analysis
Authors : Balamirzə Məmmədli
Pages : 833-851
Doi:10.5281/zenodo.18098409
View : 74 | Download : 75
Publication Date : 2025-12-26
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :This article offers a historiographical analysis of key developments in Azerbaijan–United Kingdom relations during the first post–Cold War decade. Drawing on a wide corpus of Azerbaijani historical scholarship, it examines the transition from limited pre-independence diplomatic engagement to the establishment of a strategic partnership by the late 1990s. Special attention is given to the role of energy diplomacy—particularly the 1994 \\\"Contract of the Century\\\"—as a critical juncture aligning British economic and geopolitical interests with Azerbaijan’s evolving foreign policy orientation. The study also undertakes a comparative reading of Azerbaijani and Western historiographical interpretations, observing that while Azerbaijani scholars tend to highlight the long-term political dimensions of the bilateral relationship, Western analysts often frame it primarily within the context of energy security. By analyzing high-level diplomatic visits, formal diplomatic recognition, and major foreign investments in the oil and gas sector, the article illustrates how these developments transformed Azerbaijan’s international standing. Ultimately, the research underscores the impact of historiographical narratives on national memory, foreign policy discourse, and broader understandings of post-Soviet geopolitical transformations.Keywords : Azerbaycan–Birleşik Krallık ilişkileri, Soğuk Savaş sonrası diplomasi, enerji jeopolitiği, stratejik ortaklık, tarihyazımı, Hazar bölgesi.
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