Hikmet Hajiyev: Azerbaijan has established new status quo in South Caucasus UPDATED/VIDEO

Azerbaijani Presidential Assistant and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev has stated that Azerbaijan has created a new status quo in the South Caucasus, anchored in international law and justice.

Hajiyev made the remarks in a statement posted on his official page on social platform X, sharing footage from Karabakh University during a visit to Khankendi, per Caliber.Az.

"With the liberation of Khankendi, Azerbaijan has fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty," Hajiyev wrote. "This city, whose name translates as ‘the village of the Khan,’ is one of the ancient settlements of Azerbaijan. In 1923, following the establishment of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, the city was renamed after the bloodthirsty Bolshevik Stepan Shaumyan, and became known as Stepanakert."

Reflecting on the city’s recent past, Hajiyev continued: "Regrettably, from the late 1980s onwards, Khankendi became a centre for orchestrating and implementing acts of terrorism, irredentism and separatism. Under the name Stepanakert, the city effectively functioned as a concentration camp. It was here that Azerbaijani civilians and military personnel, taken as captives and hostages, were subjected to severe tortures and assassinations."

He added that the city had come to symbolise a breakdown of international norms at a pivotal historical moment. "On the eve of the Cold War’s conclusion, this city became, tragically, a graveyard for the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter for New Europe as well as the UN Charter. A new aggressive model of conflict and warfare within the OSCE area was initiated here."

Hajiyev emphasized that Azerbaijan had pursued a long-term and strategic approach to resolving the conflict: "Nonetheless, after 30 years with strategic patience, Azerbaijan has forged a unique path in the history of international relations by achieving a military-political solution to the conflict. Moreover, the country is ensuring transitional justice — a critical element in the post-conflict period. Those responsible for war crimes committed against the people of Azerbaijan are now facing justice."

He concluded by underscoring the current transformation underway in the region: "Azerbaijan has established a new status quo in the South Caucasus — one grounded in justice and legitimacy and international legality. Today, Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur are undergoing a profound transformation and reconstruction."

Hajiyev closed his message with a personal reflection: "P.S It is a particular source of pride to be here today, at Karabakh University, among its students."

The statement comes amid renewed efforts by Baku to integrate the region and underscore its reconstruction and post-conflict justice initiatives following the restoration of control over Khankendi in 2023.

With the liberation of Khankendi, Azerbaijan has fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. This city, whose name translates as “the village of the Khan,” is one of the ancient settlements of Azerbaijan. In 1923, following the establishment of the Nagorno-Karabakh… pic.twitter.com/090x76HwIv

— Hikmet Hajiyev (@HikmetHajiyev) April 18, 2025

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Azerbaijan has created a new status quo in the South Caucasus, said Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration.

Hajiyev made the remarks during a visit to Karabakh University in Khankendi, where he was joined by representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Addressing the delegation, Hajiyev emphasised the historical and symbolic significance of Khankendi, noting that its name means “village of the khan” and underscoring its deep roots in Azerbaijani history.

"After the creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region in 1923, the city was for decades called Stepanakert. In the late 1980s, Khankendi became a centre of [Armenian – ed.] separatism, terrorism, and terrorist activity, which laid the groundwork for a prolonged conflict in Azerbaijan and the wider region," he said.

Reflecting on that era, Hajiyev highlighted the serious breaches of international norms that occurred in the city.

"There were cases of Azerbaijani civilians and military personnel being held as prisoners and hostages here, subjected to torture. In some ways, this city functioned as a camp for Azerbaijani captives. At a time when the international community was trying to build a new world order based on peace and cooperation after the Cold War, this city, unfortunately, became a symbol of the violation of those principles,” he stated.

Turning to the present, Hajiyev underlined the transformation underway: “Today, Azerbaijan is bringing this city back to life as it establishes a new status quo in the region.”

The diplomatic delegation began their visit on April 18, starting at Fuzuli International Airport before travelling to Khankendi. There, they toured Karabakh University and engaged with students and academic staff to better understand the region’s rehabilitation and education initiatives.

The visit comes amid intensified efforts by the Azerbaijani government to reintegrate the area and accelerate reconstruction and development.

Following their meetings in Khankendi, the diplomats are expected to continue on to Shusha, a city revered for its cultural and historical importance. In Shusha, the delegation will receive briefings on infrastructure development, restoration projects, and preparations underway to support the return of displaced residents and attract new investment.

By Tamilla Hasanova