Azerbaijani diplomacy asserts readiness to defend national interests At 105th anniversary celebration

An official reception dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic service bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held at Gulustan Palace on July 8.

The event was attended by senior officials of the Foreign Ministry, representatives of state structures, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports, citing the ministry.

In his speech, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov congratulated all employees of the diplomatic service, who protect and promote Azerbaijan's interests internationally and wished them success in their future endeavors. The attendees also honored the memory of diplomats who died in the line of duty.

The event highlighted the significant efforts of the late leader Heydar Aliyev and his successor, President Ilham Aliyev, in ending the Armenian occupation and restoring Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It was noted that the end of the conflict has created new opportunities for peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. Azerbaijan continues to advocate for dialogue and peace, urging Armenia to choose regional cooperation over territorial claims.

Against the backdrop of global instability, Azerbaijan aims to strengthen cooperation in addressing new challenges. Initiatives aimed at bolstering the Organisation of Turkic States and building bridges between developed and developing countries in the fight against climate change, particularly within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), were noted.

Assistant to the President and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev also spoke at the event. He congratulated all diplomatic service officers on their professional holiday, noting that the current celebrations are held in a completely different atmosphere following the resolution of the conflict.

Hikmat Hajiyev emphasized Azerbaijan's regional and global initiatives, stating that the country's chairmanship of COP29 demonstrates its commitment to addressing global challenges. He stressed that now is the time to build peace and security in the region, highlighting the need for cooperation over militarization. He underscored that the peace treaty should be genuine and sincere, noting the importance of Armenia's readiness for it.