MUNICH, Germany, February 13. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to
Azerbaijani television channels in Munich on February 13.
Trend presents the
interview.
REAL Television: Mr. President, thank you for taking the
time for us. What will Azerbaijan’s message be at this Munich
Security Conference?
President Ilham Aliyev: As always, our message
is directed toward cooperation and peace. For the first time, I am
participating in this event as the head of state who has already
achieved peace. Of course, this issue will certainly be on the
agenda here. Therefore, our messages, as always, are very open and
clear: cooperation, peace, partnership. Naturally, Azerbaijan’s
growing role in security, our capabilities, as well as economic
development, energy security, transport, connectivity, artificial
intelligence – in other words, all these issues today constitute
the world’s main agenda. Today, Azerbaijan is not lagging behind in
these areas either.
Public Television: Mr. President, is the signing of a
peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia expected this
year?
President Ilham Aliyev: You know that this does
not depend on us. Our position has already been conveyed to the
Armenian side for many years. The necessary changes must be made to
Armenia’s Constitution. As soon as these changes are made, we can
sign the peace treaty the very next day. Nevertheless, I believe
that peace has already been achieved between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. The agreements reached at the Washington Summit – that
is, the signed Joint Declaration and the initialing of the peace
treaty – amount to de facto peace. The formal side of this depends
on Armenia. The sooner changes are made to the Constitution and the
territorial claims against Azerbaijan are removed from it, the
sooner the peace treaty will be signed.
AnewZ Television: Everybody we have spoken to today has
said that the old world order is crumbling and a new world is about
to emerge, but it has not emerged yet. Just a few weeks ago in
Davos, you signed a founding charter of the Board of Peace, and
Azerbaijan is a founding member. In a few weeks, there will be
another meeting in Washington. What is your reflection on this
institution as a potential element of the new world
order?
President Ilham Aliyev: You know, if you remember, I spoke about
this, maybe not in detail, but in general, that international law
is no longer valid. Many countries simply ignore it, and relying
only on international law will not solve your problem. Azerbaijan's
example clearly demonstrates this. So, the emergence of a new world
order, or a new system of intergovernmental relations, was
definitely in the pipeline. The matter was who would take
responsibility and make the first step. I think President Trump did
a great job in initiating the Board of Peace, an institution with a
great future.
Of course, everything will depend on the agenda. As you know,
the first summit will take place soon. Everyone is interested in
what the summit’s agenda will be and what the outcomes will be.
More and more countries are already realizing that they need to
reconsider their approach with respect to intergovernmental
relations, security, and the functioning of international
institutions. We see that the United Nations is totally paralyzed;
it will not influence any of these issues. And there is no
alternative. Hopefully, we will see more common sense in working
together, because the new world order should not mean that “whoever
is stronger is right.” The new world order should mean new
mechanisms for a civilized world, new forms of relations, and a new
international order.
CBC Television: Mr. President, according to the Munich
Security Conference program, you are scheduled to participate in a
panel session tomorrow dedicated to transport corridors. What role
does Azerbaijan see for itself in the formation of transport
corridors between Europe and Asia?
President Ilham Aliyev: We have long been initiators in the
creation of corridors – beginning with energy, moving to transport,
and now extending to electricity and fiber-optics. As our country's
potential strengthens and international ties evolve, we are adding
new elements to the existing concept of connectivity.
While our oil and gas pipelines can be considered an
accomplished fact – though there is a need to expand our gas
transport infrastructure – and while rail-related issues are
partially resolved, with Azerbaijan facing no major difficulties in
ensuring transit shipments or exporting its own products, the
Zangezur Corridor will be an additional contribution. We are now
specifically focused on electricity cables, fiber-optic cables, and
the transportation and transit of data through the development of
data centers and artificial intelligence.
We possess many advantages: our geography, close ties with
neighbors to both the West and the East, a surplus of electricity,
a skilled workforce, and many other benefits. Consequently,
Azerbaijan today is a country that is essential to both the East
and the West. Given that the country secured its own security and
sovereignty through its own efforts, our international standing has
naturally grown. Therefore, when we speak of corridors, we must
take a broader view: it is not just about railways or highways, but
about everything that facilitates connectivity and meets the
demands of the modern world.
Thank you.
