Washington offers Azerbaijan tech, energy and defense cooperation

 Azerbaijan’s parliament meets Tuesday to review memorandums signed in Washington during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit, outlining a new phase of ties with the United States.

While Armenia signed three sectoral documents with Washington, including cooperation on artificial intelligence and energy security, Azerbaijan agreed to a single framework memorandum on creating a strategic partnership working group. The texts are declarations of intent rather than binding accords.

Analysts say the U.S. is offering Baku opportunities in digital technologies, AI, trade and logistics, and potentially defense supplies, easing long-standing restrictions under Section 907. Energy cooperation will focus on renewables and battery storage projects, including installations near Baku and in central Azerbaijan with combined capacity of 250 megawatts.

Talks are also expected this week in Yerevan on the Zangezur corridor, with U.S. participation, alongside discussions on Armenian-Turkish normalization linked to the wider peace process.