Ex-Georgian leader praises Azerbaijani president for bold speech at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has lauded Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his “powerful and courageous” speech delivered at the recent Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Saakashvili wrote that Aliyev’s remarks stood out at the event, as he "rejected the prevailing global norms of false, hypocritical political correctness and double standards," per Caliber.Az.

“By calling things by their name, President Aliyev voiced what others may think but do not dare to say out loud,” Saakashvili noted.

He particularly praised Aliyev for directly addressing the issue of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and for proposing a path forward from the ongoing crisis. According to Saakashvili, the Azerbaijani leader’s speech reaffirmed his role as not only a regional leader but also “a pioneer of a new principle in international relations—based on a strong sense of national dignity.”

To recall, the 4th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, took place in Antalya, Türkiye, on April 11–13, under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, attended by numerous heads of state, diplomats, and policymakers, provided a platform for candid discussions on pressing global issues. 

By Khagan Isayev