Azerbaijan Marks 35 Years of Independence Achievements and Unfinished Regional Challenges

On 18 October, Azerbaijan celebrated the 35th anniversary of its independence. Festive events unfolded across Baku, with state media highlighting the country’s progress in territorial reconstruction, energy development and transport infrastructure over the decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

This anniversary offers a chance to reflect on a nation that has undergone dramatic transformation. Azerbaijan has leveraged its hydrocarbon resources to modernise its capital, build cross-border transport corridors and establish itself as a key energy supplier to European markets. The Southern Gas Corridor, in particular, has helped diversify Europe’s gas imports, an issue that has grown more important for Western capitals in recent years.

Yet the milestones of this anniversary sit alongside stubborn regional disputes. The long-running tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, rooted in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, remain unresolved. While peace talks between the two states have continued, lasting settlement of border and territorial questions is still out of reach. These lingering frictions remind us that economic development alone cannot guarantee lasting stability in the South Caucasus.

Negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia remain underway. Both sides continue to exchange views on border demarcation and related arrangements, yet fundamental differences have not been fully bridged.

Looking ahead, Azerbaijan’s next chapter will hinge on balancing its energy-fuelled growth with the need to settle regional disagreements. The 35th anniversary is a moment to celebrate what has been built, but also a reminder that true independence comes with the hard work of securing long-term regional peace.