Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani president, has lauded the ongoing peace process with Armenia, asserting that “there is nothing better than peace.” However, he recently stated that Azerbaijan initially achieved peace with Armenia through force, subsequently complemented by political means. These remarks were delivered during his address at the Global Baku Forum, as reported by the pro-government APA outlet. Aliyev criticized United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding Armenian troop withdrawal from Azerbaijani territories, noting their prolonged ineffectiveness – remaining “on paper for almost 30 years.” He referenced the 2020 Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, arguing that “sometimes necessary to use force to achieve peace” when a peaceful resolution appears unattainable.
“We achieved peace with Armenia first by force, and then by political means,” Aliyev declared. He praised the “unprecedented speed” of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, attributing it to strong political will and the recognition that perpetual hostility and war must end. Aliyev highlighted the seven-month period of peace and its evident advantages, repeatedly stating, “there is nothing better than peace.”
Separately, Aliyev expressed concern over “new hotbeds of tensions and ongoing long-term conflict” globally, viewing this as a threat to international relations.
He emphasized Azerbaijan’s restoration of sovereignty and dignity through force, followed by an offer of peace to a defeated adversary. He criticized the OSCE Minsk Group, deeming it a “failure” focused on freezing the conflict rather than resolving it. The dissolution of the Minsk Group was a key condition for Azerbaijan’s peace agreement with Armenia.
Aliyev also discussed trade with Armenia, removing restrictions on goods transport, including petrol, and collaborating to establish a “new branch of the Middle Corridor” for Armenia’s transit development. Azerbaijan’s economy, reliant on oil, anticipates potential windfall gains amidst global energy market disruptions.
Topics: #peace #armenia #aliyev
