Azerbaijan’s President Celebrates Victory and New Beginnings
Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York, marking what he termed a victory in the recent conflict with Armenia, which he referred to as a “patriotic war.” He expressed gratitude for improved relations post-war and thanked former President Donald Trump for playing a role in mediating peace.
Aliyev proclaimed this victory as a significant step towards peace, framing the conflict as a necessary reclamation of territory. This territory, traditionally contested, fell under Azerbaijani control following a violent siege in September 2023, which targeted Armenian Christians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Human rights organizations have condemned the actions in this campaign as ethnic cleansing. The US State Department echoed these concerns, acknowledging the forced displacement of Armenian residents.
In September 2023, Azerbaijan accused groups of human rights violations for blocking Armenian civilians from essential supplies in contested regions. There were warnings about potential ethnic cleansing or genocide, which drew significant attention.
Azerbaijan has historically viewed Nagorno-Karabakh as its land, portraying its actions as a liberation struggle against what it characterizes as Armenian aggression. Aliyev asserted that the migration of Azerbaijanis from the area following the Soviet Union’s collapse amounted to “ethnic cleansing” and criticized Armenia for alleged war crimes.
The conflict has strained relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and diminished their reliance on Russia, allowing for renewed negotiations facilitated by Trump, leading to an August peace agreement.
Aliyev criticized the UN for its inability to address the territorial dispute effectively. He remarked, “After nearly 30 years of unproductive negotiations, Azerbaijan had to exercise its right to self-defense,” referring to the 2020 conflict in which Armenia allegedly targeted Azerbaijani civilians.
The president maintained that Azerbaijan conducted the war in line with international humanitarian standards, protecting non-military areas. Although he celebrated Azerbaijan’s military success, he subtly acknowledged support from Türkiye, particularly in the effective use of drones that reshaped modern warfare during the 2020 conflict.
During his address, Aliyev lamented the challenges of rebuilding areas that were “liberated” in 2020, focusing on the restoration of mosques and the dangers posed by landmines in former conflict zones. He highlighted the importance of the war in setting the stage for a new chapter in Azerbaijani-Armenian relations.
He referenced a peace agreement achieved in Washington, characterized by a newfound understanding between the two nations, moving away from previous negotiation frameworks.
Aliyev emphasized the significance of regional connectivity and the establishment of safe supply routes, comparing reciprocal arrangements to geographical separations in the US. Following the creation of an economic corridor, a joint working group involving the US was established to enhance relations further.
He thanked Trump for lifting sanctions previously imposed on Azerbaijan in 1992, which were based on accusations of human rights violations during earlier conflicts. Aliyev argued that these sanctions were unjust and rooted in misconceptions, urging Congress to abolish them entirely.
Aliyev took the opportunity to highlight Azerbaijan’s commitments to climate initiatives and the upcoming COP29 Climate Conference, while cautioning against overly ambitious goals. He stressed the need for fossil fuels for the foreseeable future, linking energy security to peace and overall development.
He noted Azerbaijan’s role as a leading natural gas exporter, highlighting recent initiatives to supply energy to neighboring regions. In concluding remarks, he called for greater international cooperation towards building a fairer world where justice prevails, emphasizing the need for actionable peace, not just rhetoric.
