On September 25, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Undoubtedly, a president’s speech at the UNGA is a major event in the political life of any country. The UN platform is still regarded as the most important international stage. For that reason alone, the date of September 25 should be included in every textbook of the country’s modern political history. It should not be lost on the pages of a wall calendar, nor should the endless flow of information diminish its domestic political significance.
Let us highlight just a few key fragments of the president’s speech—fragments that reveal the tone of his policy and the principled stance of official Baku.
Demonstration of political will: “The four resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council in 1993 demanded the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories. Unfortunately, these resolutions were never implemented.” By saying this at the UNGA podium, the head of state was in fact reproaching the organization itself for passivity and ineffectiveness on concrete issues.
Demonstration of national will: How else can one describe it? To show such political determination, having a fair and objective position is not enough. The true source of such strength can only be the support of one’s people.
No room for speculation around the peace treaty: “Immediately after the victorious war, Azerbaijan declared its readiness to open a new page in relations with Armenia on the basis of mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty.” In other words, the president made it clear to certain states that the peace initiative belongs to Azerbaijan, and thus there is no place for speculation on this matter.
Azerbaijan for integration in the name of development: “Regional communications are the foundation of our vision of lasting peace.” This vision is not only evidence of Azerbaijan’s readiness for cooperation; it also strengthens the international status of the entire region on the global political map.
The “Zangezur Corridor” in international protocol: “One of the important results of the Washington Summit is the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ (TRIPP), which will ensure unhindered passage through the Zangezur Corridor and strengthen regional ties.” Simply put, regardless of what it is called, the route will in any case pass through the Zangezur Corridor. This masterstroke demonstrates the president’s brilliant diplomacy.
Chance for international organizations to rehabilitate themselves: “One of the most serious humanitarian problems Azerbaijan faces in the post-conflict period is the danger posed by landmines planted by Armenia during the occupation.” In other words, the president appealed to the international community, saying it is time to stop engaging in populism and information manipulation. If there is truly a desire to help the region and expedite the return of displaced persons, then take concrete measures to resolve a problem that poses a direct threat to human lives.
A moral code for modern international relations: “Let us build a world together where double standards are eliminated, justice is not selective, respect for the rule of law prevails, and peace is ensured not only by words but also by concrete steps.” This vision demonstrates the scale of opportunities available in the president’s state policy.
The future image of Azerbaijan: “There is great potential for cooperation in the field of digital communications. Azerbaijan is promoting the initiative of digital transformation through such a significant project as the ‘Digital Silk Road.’” In recent years, Azerbaijan has established itself as a reliable energy partner. Yet the president emphasized that the country is also ready to cooperate in other modernization projects. Countries that hold monopolies in modernization must make room, because Azerbaijan has already proven itself on the global market as a reliable partner.
The victorious country stands for peace: “For many years, I spoke from this podium about the tragedies Azerbaijan faced—aggression, occupation, and injustice. Today I will speak about our long road to victory and peace, about a new era in Azerbaijan’s history, about how we ended the occupation in the Patriotic War and ensured peace through political means.” Thus, Azerbaijan is a country that does not retreat from its goals, resolves its own issues, and always stands for peace.
Asif Adil
