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Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates formalized their growing security relationship Monday with the signing of a defense cooperation agreement during a working visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Abu Dhabi.
The letter of intent on defense cooperation was signed as Aliyev met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a statement from Azerbaijan's presidency. The meeting underscored what both nations described as a strategic partnership that has expanded beyond energy and economic ties into military coordination.
During the talks, the two countries also signed an agreement for the sale of a portion of Azerbaijan's non-controlling stake in Southern Gas Corridor CJSC to XRG, the international investment arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The Southern Gas Corridor is a major energy infrastructure project that transports natural gas from Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea fields to European markets.
The presidency statement said both leaders emphasized that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE are based on strategic partnership, with the two sides exchanging views on future cooperation prospects and maintaining regular contact.
The defense agreement comes as the two nations conduct the Peace Shield-2026 joint military exercise in the UAE on February 2-3. According to the statement, both presidents highlighted the significance of the drills for developing operational military interoperability between their armed forces and stressed the importance of continuing such exercises.
The leaders expressed confidence that the newly signed documents will provide further momentum to the development of relations between the two countries. The talks also explored the possibility of establishing sister city relations between the capitals Baku and Abu Dhabi.
Both presidents noted the importance of reciprocal visits and meetings in expanding bilateral ties, the statement said.
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