On April 9, an international forum titled “Facing the New World Order” was held at ADA University with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev. In his speech at the forum, the President of Azerbaijan focused in detail on processes taking place both in the region and globally, offering his assessment.
It is important to note that when speaking about the prospects for Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization in various contexts, the President of Azerbaijan consistently emphasized the importance of signing a peace treaty with Armenia. Referring to the political dynamics in Armenia, he noted that despite the disappointment of Armenian authorities with Donald Trump’s election and hopes that the Biden administration would maintain its position, there remains consensus among the Armenian political elite regarding relations with Azerbaijan.
“Unless a peace agreement is signed, unless Armenia removes from its Constitution territorial claims against Azerbaijan, which still exist, and unless Armenia demonstrates with actions that it really wants peace, the war is not over.”
As is well known, Armenia’s decades-long occupation of Azerbaijani territories and its hostile stance toward Azerbaijan in general have been key factors preventing Yerevan’s integration into major transport and energy projects in the region. Paradoxically, despite the changed political landscape following Azerbaijan’s victory in the 44-day war, irrational attitudes toward Azerbaijan still dominate Armenian political discourse and continue to shape the nature of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and broader South Caucasus politics.
President Ilham Aliyev described Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories as the main factor hindering the South Caucasus from becoming a more or less integrated region, despite the existence of such preconditions.
At the same time, Azerbaijani-Georgian relations serve as a clear example of how regional actors can effectively cooperate in areas such as energy security, transport, political dialogue, investment, and economic development. According to the President of Azerbaijan, although the region has developed preconditions for forming a South Caucasian community, there are attempts by certain political forces in Europe to create dividing lines in the region, artificially slowing the positive momentum observed in recent years.
“Unfortunately, there are attempts from some political circles in Europe to create dividing lines in the South Caucasus and to block the positive dynamics, which already is visible.”
Such attempts are part of a broader policy aimed at isolating Azerbaijan from efforts to establish strong connectivity linking the European Union with the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Azerbaijan counters these plans by signing declarations of strategic partnership with numerous countries across both Europe and Asia.
President Aliyev stressed that the European Commission should adopt a realistic view of the world and value countries like Azerbaijan.
“The European Commission should take off the rose glasses and look at the world as it is and value the countries like Azerbaijan. They should not divide the South Caucasus into those they love and those they don’t.”
He also expressed surprise regarding a statement made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the Central Asia Leaders’ Summit in Samarkand. She had suggested that Azerbaijan and Türkiye open their borders with Armenia in order to strengthen the potential of the Middle Corridor.
“It was very strange, because this corridor exists, and Armenia plays no role there. We understand the emotional connection of European bureaucrats with Armenia, but it’s impossible to ignore the map.”
The President also defended Georgia, noting that due to deteriorating relations between Brussels and Tbilisi, EU officials tend to overlook Georgia’s contribution to the implementation of the Trans-Caspian route.
“Because of the current deterioration in relations between Brussels and Tbilisi, they also try to ignore the role of Georgia in the implementation of the Middle Corridor. That’s how colonizers behave.”
As is known, several years ago President Aliyev supported the idea of a “Caucasus House,” hoping for constructive dialogue with Armenia. At the time, this idea was also supported by Brussels. Back then, EU–Georgia relations were more constructive. Now, the EU seems to prioritize relations with Yerevan, essentially ignoring Georgia. In response to this approach, President Ilham Aliyev stated:
“Therefore, in all this we must strengthen our partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan. As we already discussed in previous questions, let’s consider the ability of the South Caucasus to establish connections without any mediators. We are tired of mediators.”
Ilgar Velizade
