House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Upgrading of UK Bilateral Relationships with Armenia and Azerbaijan and Lifting the UK Arms Embargo
13 October 2025 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Proposed by Stephen Doughty Lab Co-op Cardiff South and Penarth
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- UK Government decides to upgrade bilateral relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan to Strategic Partnerships
- Annual ministerial-level meetings will be held between the UK and both countries
- UK arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan is fully lifted, with export licence applications assessed on a case-by-case basis
Issue summary
This statement addresses the upgrading of bilateral relationships between the UK and Armenia/Azerbaijan and the lifting of the UK's arms embargo on both countries.
Action requested
The UK Government has decided to upgrade its bilateral relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan to Strategic Partnerships, which will include annual ministerial-level meetings. The government is also fully lifting its arms embargo on these nations effective immediately, but will continue to assess export licence applications on a case-by-case basis against strategic criteria.
Key facts
- Trilateral peace summit between Armenia and Azerbaijan hosted by President Trump in Washington D.C. on August 8, 2025.
- The UK has upgraded its bilateral relationships with both countries to Strategic Partnerships.
- The OSCE Minsk Group will be formally dissolved.
- The UK is lifting its arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- Annual ministerial-level meetings will review progress in the partnerships.