Azerbaijan Country Report

The Republic of Azerbaijan is a moderate risk country at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and West Asia. The former Soviet Republic is one of six Turkic states and a member of European-focused organizations, such as the Council of Europe and the NATO Partnership for Peace, as well as the Russian-backed Commonwealth of Independent States. Azerbaijan has seen high levels of economic development over the last two decades and is well-connected to international trade networks; however, the nation's political system is often characterized as repressive and authoritarian.

The main threats travelers face in Azerbaijan are crime, civil unrest, and poor overland travel outside major cities. Petty criminal acts such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing are common, and there is a general threat from Islamic extremist terrorism, which emanates from Central Asia and the Middle East. The political situation is largely stable, although demonstrations occasionally take place and can turn violent following heavy-handed police intervention.

Despite a September 2023 deal to reintegrate the Nagorno-Karabakh region into Azerbaijan, tensions persist with neighboring Armenia; Baku and Yerevan have fought two wars over control of the region. Despite the reintegration agreement, sporadic clashes between ethnic Armenian militants and the Azerbaijani Armed Forces remain possible. Tensions and occasional exchanges of small arms and artillery fire remain possible with neighboring Armenia along their shared border, including the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave. Some areas of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts previously occupied by ethnic-Armenian forces are heavily mined. Medical facilities outside of Baku are limited.

Relations with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region remain tense following Azerbaijan's successful military operation to retake the region in September 2023. Tensions with Armenia over border delimitation may prompt exchanges of gunfire and armed clashes along the shared border, short of open conflict. Rounds of unrest associated with local socioeconomic issues may also lead to violent protests.

Air travel is safe and in compliance with international safety standards.

While roads are generally well maintained in major cities, roads can be poor in remote regions.

The Port of Baku is efficient and reliable.

There are increased concerns over safety and reliability towards water in Azerbaijan

There are increasing concerns over the threat from cyber-attacks following the second Karabakh war.

Azerbaijan is exposed to seismic activity, flooding, and harsh winter conditions which periodically lead to localized travel and service disruptions. The status of local infrastructure enhances the potential impact of inclement weather outside of major cities.

Azerbaijan is not exposed to any epidemic concern, but the status of the local medical infrastructure outside of major cities and the potential lack of medical supplies in remote areas may lead to a need for medical evacuation for those with complex medical needs. Access to mental health services is limited. Tap water is not considered safe for drinking unless otherwise directed.

Azerbaijan is a unitary multi-party semi-presidential republic. The Prime Minister is the head of government, and the President is the head of state. The President, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet form the government and exercise executive power. Presidential elections take place once every seven years. The unicameral parliament, or National Assembly, exercises legislative power. Parliamentary elections take place once every five years. Although elections are regularly held, they are not considered free or fair. President Ilham Aliyev, his father, Heydar Aliyev, and the New Azerbaijan party have run the state since 1993.

The judiciary is nominally independent of the executive and the legislature but is widely regarded as corrupt and ultimately under the control of the executive. Security forces and the judiciary are used by the executive to repress civil society, opposition parties, and activists. With political power concentrated in the hands of the Aliyev family and their close allies, there are few mechanisms to hold state power to account. The state represses media freedom and restricts the activities of journalists; it is not unusual for journalists to be arrested under a range of charges.

Coalitions featuring a cross-section of political parties are rarely required to form the government. Government collapses are uncommon. State institutions are ineffective and unreliable, particularly outside of Baku.