BAKU, Azerbaijan/ISTANBUL – Azerbaijan is solemnly marking the 34th anniversary of its restoration of independence on Oct. 18, 2025, a milestone that underscores the nation's remarkable journey from Soviet subjugation to regional powerhouse. This date commemorates the pivotal moment in 1991 when Azerbaijan reclaimed its sovereignty, building on the short-lived Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established in 1918. Over the past three decades and four years, the country has transformed its economy, fortified its military, resolved longstanding territorial disputes, and forged unbreakable alliances, particularly with Türkiye. As celebrations unfold across Baku and beyond, President Ilham Aliyev hailed the occasion as a "testament to our unyielding spirit and strategic vision," emphasizing Azerbaijan's role as a beacon of stability in the South Caucasus.
The roots of Azerbaijan's independence trace back to May 28, 1918, when the National Council, chaired by the visionary leader Mehmet Emin Resulzade, declared the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia). This made Azerbaijan the first secular democratic republic in the Muslim world, adopting a progressive constitution that granted women voting rights ahead of many Western nations. Tragically, this era of self-rule lasted only 23 months. On April 28, 1920, the Bolshevik Red Army invaded and incorporated Azerbaijan into the Soviet Union, suppressing national identity and exploiting its vast energy resources for decades.
The collapse of the USSR in 1991 provided the long-awaited opportunity for revival. On Oct. 18, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR unanimously adopted the Constitutional Act on Independence, restoring statehood without bloodshed. This act was ratified by a national referendum on Dec. 29, 1991, with 99.6% approval. Since then, Azerbaijan has navigated immense challenges, including economic turmoil from the Soviet breakup and the devastating Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Yet, under the leadership first of national hero Heydar Aliyev (1993-2003) and then his son Ilham Aliyev (2003-present), the nation has achieved exponential growth. Today, its GDP per capita has surged from $500 in 1991 to over $7,000 in 2024, according to World Bank data, while military expenditures have modernized the Azerbaijan Armed Forces into one of the region's most capable units.
Triumph Over Occupation: The Karabakh Victory
The early post-independence years were marred by aggression from Armenia, which exploited Azerbaijan's internal political instability. Between 1991 and 1993, Armenian forces occupied Nagorno-Karabakh—an internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory—and seven surrounding districts, including Shusha, the cultural cradle of Azerbaijani music and poetry. This First Karabakh War displaced over 1 million Azerbaijanis, creating the largest per capita refugee population in Europe at the time. Massacres in Khojaly on Feb. 26, 1992, claimed 613 civilian lives, including 106 women and 63 children, in what the UN General Assembly later condemned as a humanitarian tragedy.
For nearly three decades, Azerbaijan pursued peaceful resolution through the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by Russia, the United States, and France. Over 30 summits and countless negotiations yielded no progress, as Armenia rejected four UN Security Council resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884) demanding withdrawal. Escalating Armenian attacks on Barda and Ganja in October 2020, killing dozens of civilians, forced Azerbaijan's hand. On Sept. 27, 2020, Baku launched a righteous counter-offensive, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter on self-defense.
The ensuing 44-Day War, revered by Azerbaijanis as the "Patriotic War," showcased precision military tactics, drone technology from allies like Türkiye and Israel, and unwavering national resolve. In just 44 days, the Azerbaijani Army liberated 5 cities (including Fuzuli and Zangilan), 4 towns, and 286 villages—over 3,000 square kilometers. Iconic Shusha fell on Nov. 8, 2020, after fierce urban combat. The war concluded with the Nov. 10, 2020, Trilateral Declaration signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia, mandating Armenian withdrawal from Kalbajar (by Nov. 15), Lachin (by Dec. 1), and Aghdam (by Dec. 1). Russian peacekeepers deployed to monitor the Lachin Corridor until 2025.
The final chapter unfolded on Sept. 19, 2023, with a lightning-fast anti-terror operation in Karabakh. Within 24 hours, Azerbaijani forces neutralized remaining illegal Armenian armed groups, prompting over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to leave voluntarily amid disinformation campaigns. This restored full territorial integrity, as affirmed by UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice. Casualties were minimal, with Azerbaijan reporting 192 soldiers martyred in 2023—heroes honored annually.
Peace efforts have since accelerated. At a landmark summit in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2025, Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed a comprehensive peace treaty, delineating borders, establishing diplomatic ties, and committing to non-aggression. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called it "a historic breakthrough for regional stability." Normalization talks continue, with direct flights and trade corridors on the horizon, potentially unlocking $10 billion in annual economic benefits per Asian Development Bank estimates.
Energy Powerhouse: The Contract of the Century and Beyond
Azerbaijan's economic miracle pivots on its hydrocarbon wealth, comprising 1.2% of global oil and 0.6% of gas reserves. The cornerstone was the 1994 "Contract of the Century," signed by Heydar Aliyev with 11 firms from seven nations (including BP, ExxonMobil, and Türkiye's TPAO). This $7 billion deal unlocked the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field, Azerbaijan's crown jewel holding 5.4 billion barrels.
Pioneering east-west energy routes, Azerbaijan partnered with Türkiye and Georgia to inaugurate the 1,768-km Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline in 2005, bypassing Russia. Today, BTC pumps 1 million barrels daily to global markets, with Azerbaijan exporting crude and products to over 30 countries, generating $25 billion annually. Refineries in Baku and Sumgayit produce Euro-5 compliant fuels.
Under President Ilham Aliyev, the gas sector exploded. The $45 billion Shah Deniz-2 project, operational since 2018, taps the world's largest gas-condensate field. The 3,500-km Southern Gas Corridor—comprising the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP, 1,849 km through Türkiye), and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)—delivers 16 billion cubic meters yearly to 14 European nations, including Italy, Bulgaria, and Greece. By 2025, exports hit 20 bcm, reducing Europe's Russian gas dependency by 10%. TANAP alone has created 5,000 jobs in Türkiye and boosted bilateral trade to $8 billion.
One Nation, Two States: The Türkiye-Azerbaijan Brotherhood
Türkiye's immediate recognition of Azerbaijan on Dec. 16, 1991, set the tone for an unparalleled alliance. Heydar Aliyev's phrase "one nation, two states" encapsulates this bond, rooted in shared Turkic heritage, language, and history. Joint ventures like BTC, TANAP, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway (2017, linking Europe-Asia freight) symbolize mutual prosperity.
During the Patriotic War, Türkiye provided drones (Bayraktar TB2), intelligence, and diplomatic cover at the UN. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's moral support galvanized the Turkish public, with millions rallying in Istanbul. The Shusha Declaration, signed June 15, 2021, elevated ties to "strategic alliance," covering defense, economy, and culture. Today, annual trade exceeds $6 billion, with 2 million Turkish tourists visiting Azerbaijan yearly. Military pacts ensure joint exercises, while cultural exchanges—like the Rabita Center—preserve shared heritage.
Global Diplomacy: From UNSC to COP29
Azerbaijan's diplomatic footprint is vast. It maintains cordial ties with neighbors Iran, Georgia, and Russia, while engaging the West via NATO partnerships. Active in the Organization of Turkic States (chair 2025), CIS, OIC, ECO, and OSCE, it chaired the Non-Aligned Movement (2019-2023), representing 120 nations.
As UN Security Council non-permanent member (2012-2013), Azerbaijan championed peacekeeping. Hosting COP29 in Baku (Nov. 11-22, 2024) was a triumph, drawing 198 delegations and securing $100 billion in climate finance pledges. President Aliyev's "Green Energy" vision targets 30% renewables by 2030, with 2 GW solar/wind projects underway.
As Azerbaijan celebrates its 34th independence anniversary with parades, concerts, and fireworks illuminating the Caspian Sea, the message is clear: from occupation to sovereignty, energy titan to peace architect, the nation stands unbreakable. With Türkiye by its side and peace on the horizon, Azerbaijan's future gleams as brightly as its oil fields.
