Ilham Aliyev: South Caucasus should be region of peace, free from geopolitical competition

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has called on parties wishing to cooperate with the South Caucasus to prioritize the need to transform the region into a space of peace and interaction.

0The head of state made the statement at the opening ceremony of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, Olaylar informs.

"The most important thing for all those wishing to cooperate with the region is to prioritize the South Caucasus as a region of peace, interaction, and as free as possible from geopolitical competition. As free as any region can be from such processes," Ilham Aliyev concluded.

The president noted that the South Caucasus has changed dramatically in recent years. He stated that the impetus for these large-scale transformations was the Second Karabakh War, which altered many of the regionchr("39")s previously considered established and virtually unchangeable realities.

Subsequent events related to the full restoration of Azerbaijanchr("39")s sovereignty, Armeniachr("39")s European integration aspirations, and the circumstances surrounding this process necessitate a rethinking of the South Caucasus by both analysts and government officials.

"Without constant contacts and an understanding of the current situation, this will be very difficult, because previous methodologies for understanding the South Caucasus are completely outdated. It is a completely different region than it was five years ago," stated Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state noted that new centers of power and often conflicting aspirations have emerged in the region. These trends have now become more noticeable, although specialists with a long history of studying the South Caucasus could have observed them before, he said.

According to the president, working in the South Caucasus presents a complex task for any external player, as the region is not yet consolidated and integrated politically, economically, or in terms of transportation. These processes are only in their early stages.

Ilham Aliyev stated that he conveyed corresponding signals to his European colleagues when the Western community demonstrated a clear bias toward Armenia.

The president noted that this approach raised questions in Azerbaijan, which is well acquainted with the regionchr("39")s geography, the economic potential of its countries, and objectively assesses its own capabilities.

"When Armenia began to be portrayed as practically the regionchr("39")s main transport hub, this, of course, caused great confusion. A country with no experience whatsoever as a transit country is suddenly being declared the main transport hub. Itchr("39")s completely unclear what such assessments are based on," the head of state said.

He noted that this imbalance was due to political motives and attempts to attract Armenia to their side.

The president emphasized that all parties should abandon this approach and stop viewing the South Caucasus as an arena of geopolitical confrontation.

Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has achieved this: the country has not allowed itself to be drawn into geopolitical intrigues and has not given any external player the opportunity to use it against anyone.

"Now, I think, our neighbors should do the same, not in words, but in deeds," the president stated.

According to him, all parties genuinely interested in peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus should build relations with all states in the region.

The head of state noted that the situation will change after the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia is completed, direct transport links through the Zangazur Corridor or other routes are restored, and political readiness for the creation of a trilateral regional format is achieved.

Ilham Aliyev called for an objective assessment of the economic, political, military, demographic, and other potential of each state in the region.

"Only then will the priorities be set correctly, and will further disappointment over chr("39")betting on the wrong personchr("39") be avoided," the head of state emphasized.