Global media highlights Azerbaijani president’s remarks at Shusha forum

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's speech at the Shusha Global Media Forum "New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution" is at the centre of the attention of world media.

The state-run Associated Press of Pakistan has published the main theses of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's speech, Report informs.

The Agency reports that 150 foreign guests from 49 countries, including representatives of state information agencies of 34 countries, 12 international organisations and media structures, as well as 60 heads and representatives of local media are taking part in the forum held in connection with the 148th anniversary of the national press of Azerbaijan.

The publication emphasises that addressing the participants of the event, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted the important role played by the media in informing people and solving their problems, as well as the importance of social media along with traditional media.

The State News Agency of Pakistan quotes President Ilham Aliyev who, speaking about the Karabakh war and Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation, said: "From the first hours of the Second Karabakh War, the leadership of Turkey and its people stood shoulder to shoulder with us. President Erdogan's statement in the first hours of the Karabakh war that Azerbaijan is not alone gave us great support".

The article points out that the forum will include a discussion of globally important topical issues in the media and information and communication sphere. Heads of well-known and influential global media and media experts will discuss new tools in journalism and communication in the digital era, digital transformation, media management in the modern information environment and the creation of sustainable business models in the media sphere, consumer trends in new media and media literacy, methods of combating disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other topics.

The publication concludes by noting that for the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the city of Shusha gathers heads of the world's leading media outlets, journalistic organisations, influential experts in the information and communication sphere, and well-known journalists on one platform.

The Belarus Segodnya newspaper has posted information that also says that the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, Shusha, is hosting representatives of the world's leading media at the forum organised in connection with the 148th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national press. It is reported that 150 foreign guests from 49 countries, including representatives of state information agencies of 34 countries, 12 international organisations, and media structures are taking part in this prestigious international event.

In addition, 60 heads and representatives of local mass media are among the participants of the forum. The publication reports that after the official opening ceremony, the forum will continue its work in sessions to discuss new tools in journalism and communication in the digital era, digital transformation, media management in the modern information environment, and the creation of sustainable business models in the media sphere, consumer trends in new media and issues of media literacy, methods of combating disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other topics.

The material also cites statements from the speech of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Russian-Azerbaijani relations. As the Belarusian edition emphasises, the head of state said that the relations with Moscow are at the level of strategic partnership.

President Ilham Aliyev's speech at the Shusha Global Media Forum has been widely covered by Turkish media. TRTHaber, Takvim, Yeni Şafak, HaberGlobal, Milliyet, Anadolu, and other TV channels, news agencies, newspapers, and news portals in Turkey paid special attention to the words of the Head of State on relations with Turkey, who, in particular, said: "From the first hours of the Second Karabakh War, the Turkish leadership and its people have stood shoulder to shoulder with us. President Erdogan's statement in the first hours of the Karabakh war that Azerbaijan is not alone gave us great support".

Materials published by Turkish media inform that the President of Azerbaijan, speaking about changes in the situation in the region and the world, new realities emerging, noted the importance of ensuring stable peace and security. The head of state also emphasised the important role of Turkey in these processes and said that Ankara will gain even greater influence in the world in the coming years.

The Shusha Global Media Forum is at the centre of the attention of the Russian media as well. News reports published by the official agency of the Russian Federation TASS, as well as posted on the websites News.ru and Ria.ru, refer to President Ilham Aliyev's views on Russian-Azerbaijani relations, on strengthening ties with Turkey, that Azerbaijan's presidency has breathed new life into the Non-Aligned Movement and that Azerbaijan can become a platform for negotiations to restore relations between Moscow and Washington.

Russian media noted President Ilham Aliyev's statements about the return of 150,000 Azerbaijanis to Karabakh in the next three years and the possibility of signing a peace agreement with Armenia by the end of this year. Vesti Kavkaza" portal paid much attention to the statements of the head of state on mine terrorism by Armenia and the work that the Azerbaijani government is doing to demine the territories. The Russian press also reported in detail on the topics and issues discussed at the Shusha Global Media Forum.

The report, published by the Albanian Telegraph Agency (ATA) with reference to AZERTAC, notes that at the Shusha Global Media Forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev touched upon important global and regional issues. Readers' attention is drawn to the fact that President Ilham Aliyev touched upon such topics as Turkey's support for Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh War, official Baku's relations with Moscow, Azerbaijan's successful chairmanship in the Non-Aligned Movement, new realities in the region after Azerbaijan's victory in the Patriotic War, Armenia's mine terror against Azerbaijan, as well as the peace process.

According to ATA, President Ilham Aliyev stressed that if Armenia renounces any territorial claims to Azerbaijan, it is quite possible that a peace agreement will be signed before the end of this year. The agency cites the words of the head of state on this issue: “However, if this does not happen, then there will be no peace. And this is not a good scenario for the region, it will not bring stability and security. At the same time, given the very sensitive geopolitical situation, this will create difficulties in the future.”

The main theses of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's speech at the Shusha Global Media Forum were given in the publication of the Spanish edition of el Repiodista. The piece reflected the statements and opinion of the head of state on the new realities in the South Caucasus region and in the world, the current situation in Karabagh, the Armenian minority living in the region, the work on demining the territories liberated from occupation, as well as the return of Azerbaijanis to their lands.

The article notes that the Azerbaijani head of state, referring to Armenia's mine terror, said: "The map provided to us by the Armenians covers about 400,000 anti-personnel mines. That is, they have admitted that they have laid more than 400,000 mines. But we know that the number of mines is approaching one million, and this is quite accurate information".