Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Embaló visited Azerbaijan to discuss energy, security, and economic cooperation, emphasizing a strategic partnership. The visit followed Embaló’s meeting with Russian President Putin over rare earth metals. Azerbaijan aims to strengthen ties and expand trade with Africa, highlighting the importance of this partnership as a key element in its foreign policy.
On February 27, 2023, President Umaro Moktar Sissoko Embaló of Guinea-Bissau visited Azerbaijan, marking a significant step in Azerbaijan’s engagement with Africa. This visit exemplifies Azerbaijan’s ambition to establish itself as a vital participant in Africa’s energy, security, and development sectors. Despite Guinea-Bissau’s status as one of the world’s poorest nations, its emerging partnerships with Azerbaijan seem strategically important for both countries, emphasizing their non-routine bilateral discussions.
Embaló’s visit follows a crucial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which focused on rare earth metals—a resource gaining prominence in global geopolitics. Russian interests in joint mining ventures reflect the international attention on these resources. Azerbaijan’s recent accession to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme hints at an awareness of the geopolitical implications related to the trade of precious minerals in West Africa.
During the state visit, President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Embaló, underlining the historic significance of this meeting. He expressed Azerbaijan’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership: “This trip is a historic visit. For the first time, the President of Guinea-Bissau is visiting us on an official visit.” The two leaders discussed enhancing cooperation across various sectors and supported mutual interests within international organizations.
Historically, the relationship between Azerbaijan and Guinea-Bissau has developed through platforms like the UN and the OIC. Notably, Guinea-Bissau has backed Azerbaijan in key resolutions at the OIC, while Azerbaijan provided pandemic-related aid to Guinea-Bissau in 2020. The two countries are engaged in an evolving partnership, offering substantial opportunities for future collaboration in defense, economy, and trade.
Azerbaijan aims to leverage its energy sector for economic cooperation with Africa. Notable partnerships with various African nations include deals involving crude oil and LNG, suggesting a strategic interest in Africa’s resources. Recent increases in trade between Azerbaijan and Africa—with a 3.8-fold rise in turnover—indicate growing economic ties, where Guinea-Bissau emerges as a key ally in West Africa.
The diplomatic ties began in 1992 and have since strengthened, with Embaló’s recent participation in discussions concerning military and economic collaboration. His upcoming visit to military units in Azerbaijan signifies a commitment to enhancing defense cooperation. The duo’s shared ideologies at the UN and OIC underscore their alignment in global matters, further enriching bilateral relations.
Overall, this visit signals a new chapter in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, emphasizing engagement with African nations. With noticeable shifts in geopolitical interests in Africa, Azerbaijan’s alliance with Guinea-Bissau may set a precedent for future partnerships. Monitoring these developments is crucial as they can have significant implications for geopolitical dynamics in the region.
In conclusion, the visit of Guinea-Bissau’s President to Azerbaijan reflects a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing energy, security, and economic collaboration. Both nations view this engagement as a pivotal step towards diversifying ties and reinforcing mutual support on global platforms. The evolving relationship demonstrates Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Africa, with potential implications for the geopolitical landscape in resource management and international cooperation.
Original Source: www.azernews.az
