In modern history, the first independent foreign policy of Azerbaijan dates back to the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), established in 1918. During the ADR era, Azerbaijan maintained diplomatic missions in several foreign countries, including Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia; an embassy in Iran; a plenipotentiary representative to the governments of Kuban and Don; and a plenipotentiary delegation to the Paris Peace Conference. At the same time, diplomatic missions of 16 foreign states -Great Britain, Armenia, Belgium, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Iran, Poland, the United States of America, Ukraine, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Sweden -began operating in Baku.

On March 8, 1944, a session of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR adopted a law establishing the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan SSR.

Following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s state independence in 1991, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has pursued an independent foreign policy course aimed at protecting the national interests of the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the central executive authority responsible for implementing the foreign policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, regulating activities in this field, coordinating the activities of state bodies (institutions) in matters of foreign relations, and directing the unified system of diplomatic service bodies.

According to the Statute on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, approved by Presidential Decree dated May 5, 2025, the Ministry’s fields of activity include:

• ●  Implementing the foreign policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and representing the Republic of Azerbaijan in international relations;
• ●  Protecting and ensuring the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, national security, and national interests of the Republic of Azerbaijan through foreign policy instruments and diplomatic means;
• ●  Developing friendly relations, peace, and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and foreign states and international organizations;
• ●  Contributing to the preservation of international peace and security through foreign policy instruments and diplomatic means;
• ●  Protecting the rights and lawful interests of citizens and legal entities of the Republic of Azerbaijan in foreign states and international organizations through foreign policy instruments and diplomatic means;
• ●  Preparing proposals on the concept and main directions of the foreign policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and submitting them to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
• ●  Coordinating the activities of state bodies (institutions) of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of foreign relations to ensure the implementation of a unified foreign policy line;
• ●  Analyzing the international political, social, economic, and security environment, the foreign and domestic policies of foreign states, and the activities of international organizations, and providing relevant information and recommendations to other state bodies (institutions) of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
• ●  Conducting diplomatic and consular relations of the Republic of Azerbaijan with foreign states and diplomatic relations with international organizations;
• ●  Supporting the implementation of state policy on compatriots living abroad and the development of relations with them;
• ●  Participating in ensuring the state protocol of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
• ●  Organizing consular work and performing consular functions;
• ●  Carrying out law-making activities in the fields of foreign policy, international relations, and service in diplomatic service bodies;
• ●  Carrying out other activities defined by acts of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.