Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Hikmet Babaoglu commented to UWI.
Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Hikmet Babaoglu commented to UWI.
By Tahran Oruçoğlu, from Baku / Azerbaijan
In line with the agreement reached during the meeting between the Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation in Dushanbe on October 9, 2025, the parties agreed to properly resolve the issues arising from the crash of an Embraer 190 aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) near the city of Aktau on December 25, 2024. The incident occurred as a result of the unintended operation of an air defense system in the airspace of the Russian Federation, and the agreement includes the payment of compensation.
This was stated in a joint declaration by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. It was noted that the steps taken demonstrate the joint efforts of the parties to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of allied relations.
Naturally, serious tensions arose between Russia and Azerbaijan following the downing of the Azerbaijani aircraft. The Azerbaijani side accused Russia of evading responsibility.
So, how will relations between the two countries evolve after the compensation issue?
Speaking on the matter, Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Hikmet Babaoglu stated that the agreement reached by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the investigation of the crash and the resolution of the compensation issue had long been expected by both the Azerbaijani public and the state:
“The incident must be assessed objectively within the context of interstate relations and investigated in accordance with international law. At the same time, although it is difficult to say that the Russian Federation has always demonstrated an equal approach in its relations with other countries, the more constructive stance shown in relations with Azerbaijan this time, along with efforts to uncover the truth and resolve the issue, can be considered a positive development.”,
The MP noted that this is also of significant importance for the future prospects of Russia–Azerbaijan relations:
“Overall, these developments show that Azerbaijan is by no means a weak state; on the contrary, it acts as an influential and equal partner capable of protecting its interests. Azerbaijan’s foreign policy strengthens its position in the system of international relations and enables it to defend its interests within a legal framework. In this regard, the events can be seen as an indication of Azerbaijan’s growing influence on the international stage.”
At the same time, beyond the evaluation of the issue within the framework of international relations, Azerbaijan’s principled stance in protecting the rights of its citizens is of particular importance.
“This approach strengthens citizens’ trust and confidence in the state, allowing them to feel more secure. Ultimately, the key priorities are ensuring the safety of Azerbaijani citizens, maintaining the state’s commitment to protecting its people, and upholding the norms of international law. These factors are highly valued both by Azerbaijani society and within the broader context of international law and interstate relations.”