Azerbaijan in the orbit of global politics Consistency, sovereignty, independent course

Today, Azerbaijan lives in an era where historical objectives are not only set but are also being successfully achieved. At the centre of this process is the President, Ilham Aliyev, a statesman whose strategy shapes the country’s future and establishes a new balance of power in Eurasia. A vivid confirmation of this is the Azerbaijani leader’s participation in the Middle East Peace Summit at the personal invitation of the Presidents of the United States and Egypt—Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The very fact that the President of Azerbaijan was invited to such a high-level forum, as well as the attention and respect shown to Ilham Aliyev by the leaders of major countries in Sharm El-Sheikh, demonstrates that today Azerbaijan is recognised by the international community as a responsible and influential state, capable of acting as a mediator and a generator of constructive solutions.

Even French President Emmanuel Macron, who previously sought to counter Azerbaijan’s strategy for resolving the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict, is now looking for opportunities for dialogue. This is an acknowledgment of reality: the policy of strength, consistency, and independence pursued by the Azerbaijani leader has proven its effectiveness.

At the summit, particular attention was drawn to Donald Trump’s attitude toward the leader of Azerbaijan. It was marked by respect for Ilham Aliyev as a leader who achieved peace through victory. During the handshake ceremony, the President of the United States, smiling, said: “You don’t want him as an enemy.” In diplomatic circles, such words are more than just words—they reflect a status earned through determination and wisdom.

Another important indicator of Azerbaijan’s growing authority in the world is the fact that leaders of various countries refer to Ilham Aliyev as a friend and ally. For example, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously stated that he considers the Azerbaijani leader not only a strategic partner but also a true friend of the Serbian people, noting that in today’s world, such a statement cannot be made about just anyone.

Similar assessments have come from other European capitals. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly emphasised that he regards Aliyev as an outstanding politician.

“I have learned so much from President Aliyev in the last ten years in how to lead the country so well in a very complex environment. Unfortunately, I couldn’t learn everything he knows. Because we are on the radical side, whereas he is a politician known for his more moderate views. I need to learn from him how to become more successful in the international arena in a moderate way,” said the Hungarian Prime Minister at an official luncheon in honour of President Aliyev in Budapest in early 2023.

A special place in the modern foreign policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan is occupied by relations with China, which, under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev, have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. It is no coincidence that during his meeting with President Aliyev at the Tianjin Reception House, Chinese President Xi Jinping said: "China and Azerbaijan are good friends and good partners. Over the past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have enjoyed increasingly deepened traditional friendship and continued to strengthen political mutual trust, and their mutually beneficial cooperation has yielded fruitful results."

This statement is far from a routine diplomatic formula; it is an acknowledgment of Azerbaijan as a key player in the Eurasian space. For Baku, this partnership represents not only investments and trade but also strengthens the country’s position on the global stage as an independent centre of influence, capable of engaging with world powers on equal terms.

Another noteworthy aspect of President Ilham Aliyev’s policy is his ability to maintain a balance between seemingly opposing vectors. A clear example of this is that Azerbaijan maintains strategic relations with Israel, while simultaneously enjoying great respect in the Islamic and Turkic world. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, for instance, called Azerbaijan “a valuable strategic partner and a pillar of regional stability,” emphasising that “Ilham Aliyev builds relations based on trust and mutual respect.”

These statements demonstrate that the Republic of Azerbaijan has become a connecting link between East and West, between the Islamic world and countries traditionally rooted in different political and religious cultures. At the same time, Azerbaijan is actively strengthening its influence within the Turkic world, acting as an initiator of integration processes. The development of the Organization of Turkic States, along with humanitarian and cultural projects, lays the foundation for consolidating peoples united by common historical, linguistic, and cultural roots.

It is beyond doubt that a key achievement of Ilham Aliyev is the liberation of Karabakh and the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity. This victory not only strengthened state sovereignty but also revived the nation’s sense of national dignity.

Today, Azerbaijan has entered an era that can rightfully be called the era of President Ilham Aliyev’s brilliant strategy, combining three dimensions—political independence, economic strength, and moral responsibility.

The country now serves as an example of how to achieve goals without external diktat, form alliances based on equality and respect, protect the interests of one’s people, and enhance international stability. Invitations to global forums, strategic partnerships with China and Israel, leadership in the Turkic and Islamic world, and respect from leading world leaders—all of these are the results of a consistent course grounded in clear vision and unwavering determination.