Azerbaijan President: “We Won Both the War and the Peace, Peace Has Been Effectively Achieved”
Azerbaijan President: “We Won Both the War and the Peace, Peace Has Been Effectively Achieved”
Ilham Aliyev called for building a world where double standards are eliminated and justice is not selective.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev addressed the 80th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York on September 25, describing his country's “long road to victory and peace” and declaring the beginning of a new era in Azerbaijan's history.
End of Occupation and Restoration of Territorial Integrity
Beginning his speech by referring to the tragedies of years of attacks, occupation, and injustice, Aliyev emphasized that the nearly thirty-year occupation by Armenia ended with the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020. He stated that Armenia had failed to implement the 1993 decisions of the UN Security Council and that the OSCE Minsk Group had failed to fulfill its mission.
Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan had restored its territorial integrity by exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that November 10, 2020, had gone down in history as the date of Armenia's surrender and the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Peace Process with Armenia and New Agreements
Immediately after the victory, the President announced that they were ready to turn a new page with Armenia based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty, noting that they had presented five basic principles and a draft peace agreement.
Aliyev pointed out that the bilateral negotiations, which lasted from October 2022 to the summer of 2025, yielded positive results and highlighted the agreements signed in Washington on August 8. He announced that the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed the text of the peace agreement in Washington and that the President and the Prime Minister of Armenia signed the Joint Declaration.
The President stated that a joint application had been made to close the OSCE Minsk Group and related structures on the grounds that they were no longer relevant to the peace process, and that the OSCE had decided to close these structures permanently.
A New Era in Relations with the US
Aliyev said that the Washington Summit marked the beginning of a new phase in Azerbaijan-US relations, adding that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with US President Donald Trump to prepare a Strategic Partnership Charter, which opened new horizons in political, economic, energy, defense, and other areas.
Aliyev described US President Trump's decision to suspend the sanctions imposed on Azerbaijan under Amendment 907 to the 1992 Freedom Support Act as a “historic step.”
Referring to important regional connectivity projects, Aliyev also mentioned the “Trump International Peace and Prosperity Route” (TRIPP) initiative, which will ensure uninterrupted passage through the Zangezur corridor, as one of the important outcomes of the summit.
Reconstruction, Mine Threat, and Energy Security
He said they had launched a large-scale reconstruction program in the liberated territories and that more than 50,000 people were already living, working, and studying under the “Great Return” Program.
The President stated that one of the most serious humanitarian challenges faced in the post-conflict period was the threat of mines, noting that more than 400 people had been killed or injured in mine explosions since November 2020, adding that this situation was hindering returns.
In the energy security section of his speech, Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan is a reliable and indispensable partner, noting that they play a strategic role in connecting the Caspian region to international markets via pipelines and currently export natural gas to 14 countries.
Aliyev also announced that by 2030, approximately 40% of energy production will come from renewable sources.
Closing Message
Concluding his remarks, President Aliyev stated, "Azerbaijan has entered a new era. We have won both the war and peace. We have ended the occupation and begun reconstruction efforts. Justice has triumphed, sovereignty has been strengthened, and peace has been effectively established," President Aliyev concluded, calling for the construction of a world where double standards are eliminated and justice is not selective.