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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