Azerbaijan and Armenia learning to live in peace, says presidential aide

Azerbaijan and Armenia are in the process of learning to live under peaceful conditions, a senior Azerbaijani presidential aide has said, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from decades of conflict to stability.

Speaking at a briefing in Zangilan’s Congress Centre, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department at the Presidential Administration, said the recent Washington summit had provided crucial political support for the peace process, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“Our primary goal was to achieve peace. We are grateful to the US administration, President Trump, and his team for their political support in advancing this process,” Hajiyev said.

He emphasised that both countries are navigating uncharted territory: “Currently, Armenia and Azerbaijan are learning to live in peace, because since gaining independence, neither country had truly experienced it. Declaring war is easy—it involves bloodshed, destruction, and terrible consequences. But establishing peace and adjusting to a peaceful life is extremely difficult.”

Hajiyev underlined the depth of the peace process, the importance of ensuring sustainable stability in the region, and the need for continued cooperation with international partners.

He also spoke about the strategic significance of the Zangezur Corridor, describing it as a potential game-changer for Eurasian transport networks.

“We believe the Zangezur Corridor can bring substantial benefits not only to our region but to the wider Eurasian space. It has the potential to reshape transport routes, strengthen prosperity, cooperation, and connectivity. In this process, the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, will gain particular attention and significance,” Hajiyev said.

He highlighted the transformation of Zangilan from a previously remote district into a strategic hub at the intersection of East–West and North–South corridors. “Azerbaijan plays a key role in building and developing these routes, and we are striving to complete our section as quickly as possible,” he added.

Following the liberation of Zangilan and other areas, Azerbaijan has embarked on large-scale reconstruction in Karabakh and East Zangezur, including transport and connectivity infrastructure. Roads, highways, and railways are already under construction.

“For us, these connecting lines—corridors, roads, and railways—are not merely construction projects or asphalt. They represent civilisation itself. Roads have shaped the course of human history for millennia, and we are confident that the roads we are building today will transform the entire Caucasus region, unite different areas, and foster prosperity and cooperation. Azerbaijan looks forward to the full transformation of the region along these routes and is committed to contributing to the development of all South Caucasus countries. I thank each of you for joining this visit,” Hajiyev concluded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev