BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 7. President Ilham Aliyev’s recent interview with local television channels goes far beyond a traditional review of the past year, offering a clear articulation of Azerbaijan’s political, economic, and geopolitical course in the near and medium term, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
"Distinguished by both the breadth of its content and the president’s direct and principled messages, the interview holds particular significance at a time of escalating regional and global processes and mounting challenges within the international system. Against this backdrop, President Ilham Aliyev’s positions clearly demonstrate the direction in which Azerbaijan is moving, effectively outlining the country’s political trajectory in a changing world.
President Ilham Aliyev first assessed the place of the year 2025 in Azerbaijan’s modern history, emphasizing that it was a decisive period from a political standpoint. According to the head of state, ‘last year can indeed be viewed as historic. Because it was in 2025 that the Armenia-Azerbaijan war ended from a political point of view, and we have been living in peace for several months now.’ This idea is not only a summary of the past but also a conceptual approach for the future. The president clearly states that the end of the war does not automatically mean the resolution of all problems and that living in peace itself requires separate political responsibility and a long-term strategy. The phrase ‘We are learning what it is like to live in peace’ is a symbolic message indicating Azerbaijan’s transition to a new stage,” Garayev noted.
During the interview, President Ilham Aliyev also addressed the international relations system, openly stating that the current world order is experiencing a deep crisis. According to him, 'unfortunately, international law norms do not function. And Azerbaijan was one of the first victims of the malfunctioning of international law.' This approach, he stressed, is not accidental. The President recalled that resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanding the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories remained on paper for 27 years and were implemented only through Azerbaijan’s own strength and political will. From this perspective, the president’s stance explains why Azerbaijan has prioritized building a strong state and why it bases its security on its own capabilities rather than external mechanisms.
Relations with the United States were also a focal point of the interview. President Ilham Aliyev described the year 2025 as historic for Azerbaijan-U.S. relations, particularly noting the removal of the long-standing Amendment 907 that had negatively affected bilateral ties. He emphasized that this step became possible in the context of the political conclusion of the war and the acceptance of new realities. According to the head of state, this decision reflects Washington’s more realistic assessment of the new situation in the region. This approach is a key element of Azerbaijan’s balanced and multi-vector foreign policy and opens new opportunities in relations with the West.
President Ilham Aliyev also firmly articulated Azerbaijan’s position on international security issues. Responding to questions about potential peacekeeping missions discussed in the Middle East, including around Gaza, he stated that 'we have no intention of risking the lives and health of Azerbaijanis for the sake of others.' He clearly underlined that Azerbaijan’s participation in military operations outside its territory is not on the agenda. This position reflects the core philosophy of the country’s security policy: Azerbaijan protects its own interests while avoiding becoming a military instrument in external conflicts.
Addressing regional issues, President Ilham Aliyev presented a firm stance on the Zangezur Corridor, stating that there is no longer any doubt about its opening. He emphasized that Azerbaijan serves as a reliable and irreplaceable link between Central Asia and the West. This idea carries not only economic but also geopolitical significance. The Zangezur Corridor is expected to expand Azerbaijan’s transit and logistics capabilities, strengthen its position in regional processes, and potentially bring fundamental changes to the transportation map of the South Caucasus.
Regarding relations with Armenia, President Ilham Aliyev demonstrated a realistic and pragmatic approach. While noting that the war has ended politically, he also stated that the traces of the past have not been fully erased. His remarks make it clear that Baku is interested in strengthening peace, but that this process can only be possible based on respect for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This approach leaves no room for revanchism while also indicating that concessions will not be unilateral.
Touching on the domestic situation, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan is among the safest countries in the world. He linked security not only to the activities of law enforcement agencies but also to overall public stability, social policy, and the health of state–citizen relations. This approach also serves Azerbaijan’s international image, enhancing the country’s attractiveness for tourism, investment, and international events.
On economic matters, the interview made it clear that key priorities include infrastructure development, attracting investment, and the restoration of liberated territories. Projects implemented in Karabakh and East Zangezur are presented as factors strengthening not only regional development but also the overall resilience of the national economy. In this context, the president emphasized that political victory must be reinforced by economic and social outcomes.
Overall, President Ilham Aliyev’s interview with local television channels clearly demonstrates that Azerbaijan has entered a new phase. On the one hand, it serves as an assessment of the path already taken, and on the other, as a clear roadmap for the future. The messages delivered by the head of state indicate that Azerbaijan intends to further strengthen its positions both regionally and internationally by pursuing a strong, independent, and pragmatic policy.
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