Ilham Aliyev: Architect of peace and transformation in South Caucasus Article by EU Reporter / PHOTO

In a recent article for EU Reporter, international journalist and expert on Central Asia and the South Caucasus, Derya Soysal, presents a comprehensive examination of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s two-decade leadership. Framing him as a transformative figure both domestically and geopolitically, Soysal argues that Aliyev has left an indelible mark on the history of Azerbaijan and the broader South Caucasus region.

According to Soysal, it was President Aliyev’s decisive leadership during the 2020 Karabakh war that cemented his status as a historic figure. Despite what she describes as significant pressure from international lobbies and biased Western media coverage, Aliyev succeeded in regaining Azerbaijan’s occupied territories within just 44 days.

Aliyev is the great commander because he managed to rewrite history despite facing a whole lobby against him. During the occupation of Karabakh, many Western media outlets defended the occupier. Numerous social media platforms exerted psychological pressure on Azerbaijanis. Despite this, in 44 days he regained the entirety of his territories occupied by Armenia and was able to rewrite history.

She further notes that the post-war reconstruction efforts, particularly under the “Great Return” program (2022–2026), reflect not only military triumph but also a strategic vision for sustainable regional development. The program includes the construction of modern infrastructure such as airports, roads, and power plants—seen as symbolic of the region’s revitalization.

The retaking of Karabakh was not only a victory over an opposing camp, it was a victory over an entire lobbying network spreading disinformation against Azerbaijan. 

Soysal argues that Aliyev’s legacy extends beyond military success. He is credited with initiating the peace process shortly after the conflict, positioning himself as a proactive force for stability.

It was Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev who, shortly after securing a decisive military success in 2020, proposed a roadmap for peace and normalization.

She emphasizes that while Azerbaijan held significant leverage after the conflict, it was Aliyev who took the first step toward reconciliation.

Although he was largely advantaged over Armenia and stood as the power of the South Caucasus, he was the first to propose peace in order to establish stability in the region.

His advocacy for connectivity through initiatives like the Middle Corridor and the Zangezur Corridor further underscores his regional foresight.

Aliyev’s foresight in championing corridors of connectivity—first the Middle Corridor and now Zangezur—highlights his role not only as a national leader but also as a regional visionary.

Soysal highlights Azerbaijan’s strong economic performance under Aliyev, particularly the shift from a hydrocarbon-dependent model to a diversified, sustainable economy. Backed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), she notes impressive economic growth in 2024.

Azerbaijan’s economy grew strongly in 2024, driven by the non-oil sector and public investment, says the latest edition of a flagship economic report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Real GDP expanded by 4.1 percent in 2024, up from 1.4 percent in 2023, with non-oil growth reaching 6.2 percent compared with 3.7 percent in 2023.

She attributes this growth to early policy initiatives, such as the regional development program launched in 2004.

From the beginning of his presidency, Ilham Aliyev launched the first regional development program in 2004, aiming to reduce inequalities between Baku and the other regions.

The results, according to Soysal, are significant: GDP has increased more than tenfold, foreign reserves have surged, and poverty has dramatically declined. She also underscores Aliyev’s strategic importance in European energy security via the Southern Gas Corridor.

President Aliyev positioned Azerbaijan as a pillar of European energy security through the Southern Gas Corridor project, including the TANAP and TAP pipelines.

Azerbaijan’s tourism boom in 2024 is also noted as a key indicator of successful diversification.

Soysal praises Azerbaijan’s growing international stature under Aliyev, citing the country’s election to the UN Security Council in 2011 and its leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019.

Under his leadership, Azerbaijan obtained a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2011, with 155 votes… In 2019, the country assumed the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement, reflecting its commitment to a balanced and multipolar world order.

She also highlights the president’s firm stance on foreign policy independence, especially in relation to Russia, and his active support for Ukraine and alignment with Western institutions.

Baku no longer tolerates an imperial tone coming from Russia… This includes its support for Ukraine and its rapprochement with the West. Azerbaijan is a reliable ally both for Central Asian countries and for the European Union, the United States, and Türkiye.

Summing up the analysis, Soysal emphasizes the transformational impact of Ilham Aliyev’s presidency.

In twenty years, Ilham Aliyev has transformed Azerbaijan into a regional power, respected on the international stage, endowed with a dynamic economy and a modern army. His leadership embodies resilience, strategic vision, and commitment to national sovereignty.

In her concluding remarks, she notes the confidence with which Azerbaijanis can now look toward the future.

"The Azerbaijani people can look to the future with confidence, guided by a president who has succeeded in turning history into reality."