BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 15. President Ilham
Aliyev addressed the liberation of Azerbaijani territories during
his speech at the 7th CICA Summit.


Referring to Armenia’s military provocations in July and August
2020, which resulted in the martyrdom of Azerbaijani servicemen,
the President said that the Azerbaijani people’s patience had run
out and the time for accountability had come.


Noting that the Patriotic War lasted 44 days, President Ilham
Aliyev said that during this period, Azerbaijan liberated more than
300 cities and villages from Armenian occupation on the
battlefield. On November 10, 2020, Armenia signed an act of
capitulation.


The 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and
Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is taking place in Baku
under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship.


The summit will review the progress made in the CICA
transformation process, which began in 2022, as well as the results
of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship in strengthening the organization and
promoting practical cooperation among member states.


The summit is attended by heads of state and government, as well
as delegations from CICA member states, observer states, observer
organizations, and partner entities.


The summit presents an important opportunity to discuss issues
of dialogue and confidence-building among member states in a
complex international environment characterized by intensifying
interstate tensions, escalating conflicts, and the emergence of new
hotspots of tension, including in Asia.


One of the summit’s most significant outcomes is considered to
be the admission of Laos into the CICA as a new member. The event
will also be marked by the adoption of documents aimed at
intensifying activities within the CICA and improving cooperation
in specific areas.


The Baku Declaration is expected to be the summit’s main
political document. In it, Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the CICA
will receive the approval of all member states, and the initiatives
put forward and activities carried out over the past two years in
various areas will be welcomed. The document will also contain
specific provisions regarding the strengthening of the
international order and ways to counter risks in the
military-political, economic, environmental, and other spheres.


The Baku Declaration will place special emphasis on promoting
tolerance and intercultural dialogue, advancing the use of science,
education, and innovation in the interests of security and
well-being, as well as the opportunities and risks associated with
the development of artificial intelligence.


In addition to the Baku Declaration, the summit also plans to
adopt a separate statement on occupational safety and health.