BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 13. Azerbaijan's
multi-vector foreign policy enables the country to effectively
address regional threats, strengthen its international standing and
create new opportunities for economic development in the South
Caucasus, Azerbaijani diplomat and former Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary Javanshir Akhundov said.


He made the remarks in a new episode of the analytical video
project “Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov” on the Baku Network expert
platform.


According to the diplomat, the foundations of the multi-vector
policy laid by National Leader Heydar Aliyev continue to provide
Azerbaijan with significant strategic advantages.


“Geography is destiny,” Akhundov said, emphasizing that
Azerbaijan's location requires particular attention to security
issues.


He recalled Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and military
tensions surrounding Iran, the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz
and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In these circumstances, balanced
diplomacy takes on particular importance.


The expert also focused on Armenia. In his view, Armenian
society and political elites need to reconsider the principles of
their statehood, abandon revanchist ideas and build relations with
neighboring countries based on current political and economic
realities.


Akhundov emphasized that Azerbaijan has an extensive network of
strategic partnerships, including ties with Türkiye, Pakistan and
China.


The development of regional transport links was one of the
central topics of the discussion.







Akhundov expressed confidence that the launch of the Zangezur
Corridor, which runs for approximately 42 kilometers through
Armenian territory, would open up additional economic opportunities
for the entire region.


According to him, Azerbaijan has already completed nearly 90% of
the relevant infrastructure work on its territory.


The expert highlighted the importance of the Middle Corridor,
the international North-South and East-West routes, and efforts to
increase the capacity of the Port of Alat. In Akhundov's view,
transport infrastructure should become an economic foundation for
long-term regional stability.


Discussing prospects for Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization, the
diplomat emphasized the role of public diplomacy.


Akhundov called for expanding people-to-people contacts and
building new relations in the interests of future generations.


Here is the full video recording of the program for our
readers: