Azerbaijan's global stance: National interests above all Following the interview with President Aliyev

We have repeatedly noted that the way President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presents his position on various global issues is entirely independent of the audience or language in which he speaks. Everything he says is transparent, correct, clear, and, most importantly, sincere. This can once again be confirmed in light of his recent interview with the Euronews channel.

However, before delving into the details of his statements, it is important to highlight the significance of the fact that the Euronews correspondent interviewed President Aliyev during the XII Global Baku Forum. This indicates that this media outlet, one of the most popular globally, considers the forum taking place in Baku to be a key event for the international community. This was confirmed by the first questions posed to Ilham Aliyev, who confidently emphasized the forum’s discursive nature, which, according to him, is grounded in the radical shift in the international situation. 

At the same time, in contrast to the consensus often lobbied by certain large international organizations as almost mandatory when discussing pressing issues, the president noted the presence of many opinions among the participants, expressing satisfaction that these opinions did not align. He expressed confidence that the panel discussions would feature even hotter exchanges of opposing views, which would further demonstrate the XII Global Baku Forum, like its predecessors, as a major platform playing a crucial role in developing new approaches to international problems.

We have already noted that neither the Davos Forum nor the Munich Security Conference provided the world with any breakthrough solutions this year, even though many people literally needed to be introduced to the trends that should define the main paradigms on the global stage. However, the March Baku Forum once again emerged as a place generating ideas of global significance, as it did in the context of the groundbreaking Baku COP29. In this regard, President Aliyev drew attention to the planet being at the stage of developing new rules and norms, as the old world order seems to no longer exist. On the other hand, amidst the lack of a clear and unambiguous perspective on the new form of interaction of the international community, it becomes increasingly relevant for each state to focus more on its own capabilities, without relying on any external assistance or even on international law.

To confirm his point, Ilham Aliyev confidently cited the example of Azerbaijan, which suffered from the selectivity of international law, yet simultaneously has significant experience in building its future based on its own resources. This emphasis became a crucial message from the President of Azerbaijan to the world, especially considering his earlier statement that the economic development model of the country has fully justified itself in the world. Relying on its own resources, Azerbaijan built a strong, independent economy and is not dependent on anyone. Economic independence, in turn, created vast opportunities on the international stage, allowing Azerbaijan to successfully conduct an independent foreign policy with honor and dignity. "Just as we have done and will continue to do," President Aliyev concluded, further elaborating in his interview with Euronews that Azerbaijan's understanding of the world order was "absolutely correct," as Baku never relied on any institution or anyone when it comes to its national interests. This should serve as a positive example for all countries, regardless of their location on any given latitude. "If you always rely on someone's assistance… you are vulnerable," also due to the lack of "eternal" guarantees of support and the loss of part of your sovereignty. One day, that very helper "will come and give you a bill."

In short and clear terms, with a brilliant acknowledgment of how successful Azerbaijan's experience has been in this regard, especially in the aspect of restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity through its own efforts, which now allows the country to build its future based on national resources. Drawing attention to the widespread increase in conflicts around the world, Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the only conflict that has been resolved is the Karabakh one, which was settled based on international law and historical justice. And this decision was made by the entire world.

Following such a meticulous review of Azerbaijan's recent and current history (in the context of its significance for many countries), President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the importance for the world’s countries, in light of the current geopolitical situation, of focusing (primarily) on bilateral relations rather than activities within international institutions, as some of them demonstrate their weakness, if not complete paralysis.

Moreover, the President of Azerbaijan addressed the realities of the South Caucasus, emphasizing the need to " protect the region from any crises around us." He highlighted the importance of creating security mechanisms that should be comprehensive—aimed at eliminating any threat of new military confrontation. In this context, he sent a message to all concerned parties, stating that a war ends only when you sign a peace treaty, and without such a treaty, there will be no stability.

In response to the final question from the Euronews correspondent, Ilham Aliyev noted that "what is happening in Washington, what is happening with respect to the new policy of the new American administration, and this once again demonstrates how the whole world is dependent on the decisions, which are made in the White House." "This is a source of the global geopolitical change," said the president. Since Baku was deeply "disappointed with the deterioration of relations between the previous US administration and Azerbaijan due to, I would say, an unjust approach towards our national interests", "we are very enthusiastic about rebuilding our strong partnership and relationship with the United States under Trump's administration." 

In this context, he once again emphasized the importance of the ongoing twelfth Global Baku Forum, as events like this are crucial for proper assessment, exchanging opinions, concerns, or expectations. Especially since the forum hosts participants who are more disappointed with the current situation rather than full of enthusiasm. This, in President Aliyev's view, is normal, as each country pursues "its own interests," and each politician has his own views. Therefore, at the Baku Forum, "I hope, there will be a clash of ideas. That makes the forum successful."

Thus, in his latest interview, the President of Azerbaijan once again clearly and concisely outlined Baku's overarching geopolitical stance. This applies both to the reflection of the situation in the region and to the broader global agenda. Moreover, he shared Azerbaijan’s experience in achieving historical justice in the protection of national independence—something that many countries around the world are currently in need of. In this regard, President Ilham Aliyev's interview carries significant, or one might say, multi-layered meaning for those who are trying to defend their countries' interests in the present moment.