The Azerbaijani embassy celebrated the 97th anniversary of its national founding and the 23rd anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea on Wednesday.

On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan proclaimed independence from the Russian Empire as the first Muslim-majority republic based on secular and democratic principles. The country was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920, and regained its sovereignty in 1991.

Currently, Azerbaijan has diplomatic ties with 158 countries, and is a member of 38 international organizations, including the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.

Although the republic lasted only 18 months, many of its foundational values ― statehood, territorial sovereignty, universal suffrage, military and education ― have found new expressions in post-Soviet Azerbaijan, Azeri Ambassador Ramzi Teymurov told The Korea Herald. 

“Our country experienced a nationwide crisis in government, economy and society in the early 1990s, due to a civil war and conflict with Armenia, but has since developed rapidly at home and abroad,” Teymurov said in a speech at a reception at Millennium Seoul Hilton on Wednesday, which was attended by Korean Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Yoo Ki-june.

“Azerbaijan is now a politically stable country with a dynamic economy. It is a respected member and reliable partner of the international community.”

Azerbaijan is the third-largest ex-Soviet petroleum producer. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline passes through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, stretching 1,800 kilometers, supplying crude oil to Europe.

Azeri oil and natural gas play a strategic role in the energy security of the region and Europe, the ambassador stressed. The country is currently making efforts to diversify its revenue sources by harnessing non-oil industries: information technology, construction, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism.

Azerbaijan and Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992, and exchanged state visits in 2006 and 2007. Some 40 Korean companies have participated in public projects in Azerbaijan in the last five years. Total Korean investment stands at $150 million and bilateral trade volume was $300 million in 2013.

The 2015 European Games ― an international athletic competition of Europe’s National Olympic Committees ― will be held in capital Baku in June, with over 6,000 athletes participating.

By Joel Lee  (joel@heraldcorp.com)