Establishment of bilateral relations
The Republic of Azerbaijan recognized the independence of the Republic of Estonia on 6 December 1991. The Republic of Estonia recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 20 February 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 20 April 1992.
Activities of the Embassies
Pursuant to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 30 September 2009, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Estonia (Tallinn) was established. The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Estonia began its activities at the end of 2010.
On 22 February 2005, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to the Republic of Türkiye was also accredited to the Republic of Azerbaijan. On 26 August 2014, the Republic of Estonia opened its diplomatic office in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Pursuant to the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 26 July 2021, Anar Abel oglu Maharramov was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Estonia (his credentials were presented to the President of the Republic of Estonia on 26 August 2021).
Political Relations
Political relations between Azerbaijan and Estonia have been developing along an upward trajectory. In order to maintain continuous political dialogue between the two countries, regular reciprocal visits and meetings at the level of Heads of State, Heads of Government, Speakers of Parliament, as well as other officials of the two countries, are of great importance.
Reciprocal Visits of Heads of State
To Azerbaijan
- 12–15 January 2009 – President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, official visit.
To Estonia
- 6–8 April 2010 – President Ilham Aliyev, state visit.
Reciprocal Visits of Prime Ministers
To Azerbaijan
- 13–14 November 2008 – Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, working visit.
Reciprocal Visits of the Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speakers
To Azerbaijan
- 18–19 June 2007 – Deputy Speaker Kristiina Ojuland, working visit;
- 31 March – 3 April 2008 – Deputy Speaker Kristiina Ojuland, official visit;
- 18–20 June 2008 – Deputy Speaker Kristiina Ojuland, working visit;
- 28 June – 1 July 2012 – Speaker Ene Ergma, official visit;
- 23–24 October 2018 – Deputy Speaker Kalle Laanet, official visit;
- 22–26 May 2022 – Speaker Jüri Ratas, official visit.
To Estonia
- 5–6 June 2006 – Speaker Ogtay Asadov, working visit;
- 6–8 February 2022 – Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, official visit.
Reciprocal Visits of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
To Azerbaijan
- 14–16 February 1996 – Minister Siim Kallas;
- 1–3 March 2000 – Minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves;
- 12 June 2004 – Minister Kristiina Ojuland;
- 29–30 October 2007 – Minister Urmas Paet;
- 12 June 2017 – Minister Sven Mikser;
- 1 December 2017 – Minister Sven Mikser;
- 21–22 October 2025 – Minister Margus Tsahkna.
To Estonia
- 24–25 April 2008 – Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
Within the framework of the high-level week of the 77th, 79th, and 80th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, meetings were also held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and his Estonian counterpart.
Economic Relations
Pursuant to the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 21 November 2011, the composition of the Azerbaijani side of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Estonia was approved. The Azerbaijani Co-Chair of the Commission is the Minister of Digital Development and Transport. The composition of the Estonian side, including the Estonian Co-Chair of the Commission, is determined prior to each meeting.
The first meeting of the Commission was held in Baku on 28 June 2012. The second meeting took place in Tallinn on 29-30 September 2014. The third meeting was held in Baku on 7 April 2017.
On 1 March 2023, the “LEF Network Azerbaijan” project was launched. This three-year initiative was aimed at promoting economic cooperation between Azerbaijan, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. Within the framework of the project, contracts were signed over a 36-month period between companies from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Azerbaijan in the fields of ICT, green technologies, and education.
On 21 October 2025, within the framework of the “LEF Network Azerbaijan” project, the “Central Baltic – Azerbaijan Business Forum” was held in Baku. During the event, companies representing various technology industries from Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, with a focus on developing exports to Azerbaijan and jointly representing the Central Baltic region, came together and held B2B meetings.
On 25 November 2025, within the framework of the “LEF Network Azerbaijan” project, the “Central Baltic – Azerbaijan Business Forum” was organized in Tallinn. Approximately 50 representatives of the Azerbaijani business community took part in the event.
Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Estonia for 2020–2025
(million US dollars)
|
Date |
Import |
Export |
Trade turnover |
|
2020 |
3.250.2 |
1.593.3 |
4.843.5 |
|
2021 |
4.334.6 |
1.796.7 |
6.131.3 |
|
2022 |
7.158.3 |
2.234.3 |
9.393.2 |
|
2023 |
6.936.8 |
6.347.5 |
13.284.3 |
|
2024 |
6.717.86 |
9.735.39 |
16.454.25 |
|
2025 (August) |
17.680.53 |
7.727.59 |
25.408.12 |
Source: the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Export from Azerbaijan to Estonia:
Black metals (mainly semi-finished steel products), pomegranate juice, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, steel pipes, fruits and vegetables, jet kerosene fuel, and gas oils.
Import from Estonia to Azerbaijan:
Machinery and mechanical appliances (mainly cranes), electrical equipment and parts (mainly mobile phones), live bovine animals (heifers), sauces and seasonings, peat, nets made of synthetic textile materials, dairy products, pharmaceutical products, optical, medical, photographic and precision instruments, fish and crustaceans, furniture and parts thereof, railway locomotives, paper, paperboard and articles thereof, other chemical industry products, plastics, aluminium and articles thereof, jams, fruit jellies and marmalades, timber (mainly coniferous wood), and light distillates.
Legal and Treaty Framework
A total of 23 documents have been signed between the two countries.
Interparliamentary Relations
Interparliamentary relations between the two countries have been developing with positive momentum. On 7 September 2021, within the framework of the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Vienna, a meeting took place between the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, and the President of the Parliament of Estonia (Riigikogu), Jüri Ratas.
On 6–8 February 2022, Sahiba Gafarova paid an official visit to Estonia. During the visit, she held meetings with the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, the President of the Riigikogu, Jüri Ratas, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eva-Maria Liimets. She also visited the e-Estonia Briefing Centre in Tallinn.
On 22–26 May 2022, a delegation led by the President of the Riigikogu, Jüri Ratas, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. During the visit, he was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and held meetings with Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, and Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov.
During the same visit, the delegation also travelled to the cities of Fuzuli and Shusha, which had been liberated from occupation, and visited the Heydar Aliyev Center.
On 13–14 March 2025, a delegation led by Riina Solman, Head of the Estonia–Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Relations Group, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan.
On 4–5 December 2025, a delegation led by Afat Hasanova, Head of the Azerbaijan–Estonia Interparliamentary Relations Group, paid an official visit to Estonia.
At present, the Head of the Azerbaijan–Estonia Interparliamentary Relations Group is Member of Parliament Afat Hasanova.
At present, the Head of the Estonia–Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Relations Group is Member of Parliament Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski.
Documents adopted by the Estonian Parliament concerning Azerbaijan
The Estonia–Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu has, since 2017, traditionally adopted a special statement on the anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. On 25 February 2026, the Group adopted a statement on the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, which was subsequently published on the official website of the Riigikogu.
On 10 March 2026, the Estonia–Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu adopted a statement expressing solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan in connection with the Iranian drone attack on the Nakhchivan region on 5 March, and the statement was also published on the official website of the Riigikogu.
Link to the statement: https://www.riigikogu.ee/en/press-releases/others/parliamentary-friendship-group-expresses-solidarity-with-the-people-of-azerbaijan-after-the-iranian-drone-attack/