On June 10, 2025, the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) hosted a conference titled, “The Key to the Caucasus: Geopolitics and Humanitarian policies of Azerbaijan”. Co-organized by HIIA, Azerbaijan’s Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), the conference explored the multifaceted geopolitical dynamics and humanitarian challenges in the South Caucasus region, focusing on Azerbaijan’s role amid shifting power balances and post-conflict recovery efforts.
In their welcoming remarks, Gladden Pappin, President of HIIA, and Tahir Taghizade, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Hungary emphasized the relevance of the conference against the backdrop of shifting geopolitical dynamics. They pointed to the growing cooperation between Hungary and Azerbaijan and the strategic importance of the wider region in Europe’s political and economic future.
The welcoming remarks were followed by a panel discussion, moderated by HIIA Senior Research Fellow Sándor Seremet, focusing on the geopolitical importance of the South Caucasus. AIR Center specialist Vasif Huseynov opened the discussion by highlighting the region’s crucial position as a crossroads between East and West, and North and South. He emphasized its strategic importance for Russia and Europe, given the vital trade routes. Expanding on this, Klementina Kozma, Researcher at the School of International Relations at Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), noted Russia’s continued interest in the area, driven by energy interests, despite the decline in its regional hegemony following the 2020 Second Karabakh War and the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict. Huseynov added that this decline is partly due to the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces from Nagorno-Karabakh, creating a potential vacuum that China, as a newcomer, could fill. He pointed out that the United States’ role has diminished, particularly under the Trump administration. Kozma noted the ambiguous role of the European Union, which had previously neglected the South Caucasus and Black Sea region but is now attempting to catch up to the region’s strategic potential. However, Turkey plays a pivotal role as a counterbalance to both Russia and China, as Kozma emphasized, highlighting the strong brotherly ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan. She further explained Azerbaijan’s multilateral foreign policy approach, drawing parallels with Hungary’s foreign policy orientation. She then raised the critical question of how Azerbaijan can balance the competing interests of regional and global powers without ceding influence to China. This point tied into AIR Center specialist Vusal Guliyev’s focus on the Middle Corridor – a trans-Caspian trade route connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey – which he described as a „rising star” and a vital alternative to traditional East-West transportation routes. Azerbaijan is a key player in modernizing this corridor. Expanding on Azerbaijan’s role in regional cooperation, Dávid Bíró, Project Coordinator at the Hungarian Representation Office of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) highlighted the office’s strategic vision in fostering bilateral and multilateral cooperation. He cited the strong strategic partnership between Hungary and Azerbaijan as evidence of effective collaboration that opens new opportunities for future development.
The second panel, moderated by HIIA Chief Advisor and Senior Research Fellow László Vasa shifted focus to the humanitarian challenges following the Karabakh War, addressing two major issues: landmines and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Nariman Gasimov, Deputy Head of International Relations Department of ANAMA stated that landmines remain a major obstacle to the safe resettlement and reconstruction of war-affected areas, causing significant environmental damage. He emphasized that ANAMA’s primary mission is to clear these explosive remnants to enable safe living conditions. John Lukacs Institute for Politics and Strategy Research Fellow Zoltán Egeresi then highlighted the importance of Hungarian-Azerbaijani bilateral relations, noting Hungary’s recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial sovereignty and integrity. He emphasized Hungary’s active role in supporting Azerbaijan’s post-war reconstruction efforts, strengthening the bilateral partnership. Gaya Mammadov, Deputy Chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community and MP of the Milli Majlis built on these points by stressing the region’s multiethnic character, arguing that tolerance is essential for a peaceful future in the South Caucasus and advocating for inclusive policies that support the reintegration of IDPs and promote reconciliation.
In his closing remarks, Tamás Baranyi, Director for Strategy at HIIA, thanked the distinguished panelists and attendees for their valuable contributions to the day’s discussions. He emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in understanding the evolving dynamics of the South Caucasus, and reiterated HIIA’s commitment to fostering informed exchange on critical geopolitical issues.