Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday addressed the UN General Assembly, underscoring peace efforts with Armenia and highlighting a new chapter in relations with the United States.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan is committed to reconciliation with Armenia after decades of conflict.
He recalled that Baku presented five principles for peace and engaged in direct talks with Yerevan.
“On Aug. 8 in Washington, our foreign ministers finalized the draft peace agreement. The same day, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a joint declaration in the presence of US President Donald Trump,” he said.
Aliyev added that both countries jointly appealed for the closure of the OSCE Minsk Group, which he described as “no longer relevant to the peace process.”
He underlined that negotiations have been “conducted on a bilateral basis, free from external interference.”
New chapter in US-Azerbaijan relationship
The Azerbaijani leader also praised Washington’s role in facilitating the process.
“I want to express my gratitude to President Donald Trump for opening a new chapter in the US-Azerbaijan relationship, for his decision to elevate it to the strategic partnership level, and for his support to the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” he said.
Aliyev highlighted that the waiver of Section 907 sanctions under the Freedom Support Act by Trump was “a historic step,” urging the US Congress to make the removal permanent.
Aliyev stressed that the Washington summit also marked a breakthrough in bilateral ties, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic working group.
“It opens new horizons for partnership in political, economic, energy, regional connectivity, defense, security and other fields,” he said.
He added that Azerbaijan and the US now enjoy a “strategic partnership framework” that strengthens cooperation at a time when Baku is contributing to global security, energy supply, and climate action.
Climate and energy agenda
The Azerbaijani leader also pointed to Baku’s role as host of COP29, where a new climate finance goal of $300 billion annually through 2035 was agreed.
He underlined Azerbaijan’s investments in renewable energy, while emphasizing its role in ensuring energy security by supplying natural gas to 14 countries.
Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s growing role as a transport and trade hub through the Middle Corridor, new ports, and rail links. He said economic diversification and reforms have lowered unemployment to 5% and foreign debt to 6.5% of GDP, while international rating agencies upgraded Azerbaijan’s investment grade status.
Alperen Aktaş
