On political leadership and beyond Following President Aliyev’s interview with CGTN

The speeches and interviews of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, are truly rich in content! This remains true regardless of the audience he is addressing or the media outlet he is speaking with. Each of these engagements carries a programmatic character and openly expresses his views on all the topics discussed. This was clearly evident in his interview with the Chinese TV channel CGTN.

It is difficult to single out any one aspect of this conversation, as all the issues discussed by Ilham Aliyev are important in the context of current global events. Therefore, we will attempt to concisely present the ideas that the President conveyed to the Chinese audience in a very accessible manner. Of course, the interview's content will be shared with far more than just China.

One of the most important messages that President Ilham Aliyev likely wanted to convey to the viewers (readers) is, above all, the relevance of national security protection for any state. However, we must agree that it is not enough to merely outline this idea as the main one; it is crucial to demonstrate the ways to achieve it, especially when global lawlessness, with the disregard for international norms and principles, reaches its peak.

The President revealed that the full restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter did not happen overnight or by itself. The successful military implementation of UN resolutions was based on the steadfast defence of national interests, the way of life, and an independent policy.

The example of Azerbaijan for the world is that such success can be achieved through prudent actions both on the domestic and international fronts. Azerbaijan's internal landscape became solidified not only due to societal unity but also through the functioning of a stable political system (implementation of social programs, etc.). Meanwhile, its foreign policy, which led to the establishment of important contacts with other countries and international organizations, became a natural continuation of its domestic policy.

As a result, the most powerful global actors now recognize Azerbaijan's contribution to peace and stability in the region (Central Asia, the Caspian, and the South Caucasus), as well as in a broader geographical context. In conclusion, President Aliyev summarized this part of his interview by stating that the place Azerbaijan has earned in the world has been secured through the triad of ideology, economic development, and the national idea that has united the entire nation, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.

President Ilham Aliyev then presented his vision of the emerging world order, identifying the main cause of geopolitical turbulence and ongoing bloodshed on the planet as the plans of countries with a colonial-imperialist past, which continue to dictate to others how they should live. At the core of this is their blatant desire to dominate and impose their will. Therefore, Azerbaijan has repeatedly called for non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations.

On this note, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the fact of the strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan, as reflected in the relevant Declaration, calling it a very important political step in bilateral relations. At the same time, he emphasized the expansion of this partnership, including the development of global projects such as the Middle Corridor and other transport connectivity initiatives that unite various regions of the world. In this context, the President underscored the significance of the Beijing initiative, the "Belt and Road" (BRI), in terms of offering new opportunities for economic development to countries across the globe.

In this way, Ilham Aliyev highlighted the prospects of Azerbaijan-China relations from a unique perspective, emphasizing Azerbaijan's decision to lift visa requirements for Chinese citizens. The reciprocal decision from Beijing, according to the President, will contribute to an increase in the number of tourists, which is seen as an important move, as people-to-people contacts and public diplomacy will play a significant role in fostering mutual understanding.

Before addressing the next aspect of President Ilham Aliyev's interview, it is worth noting that world leaders often avoid evaluating the policies of China and the United States in a balanced manner. That is, depending on the audience they are addressing, political leaders will voice their thoughts accordingly. However, the President of Azerbaijan takes a fundamentally different approach. He always provides his objective view of the world. Therefore, while naming China and the U.S. as the two largest countries in the world, he confidently declared that not confrontation, but consensus between them on various issues, would benefit all countries. In this light, he clearly outlined his view on certain steps taken by U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term and expressed his position regarding his second presidential term, considering the development of the global situation. At the same time, Ilham Aliyev demonstrated Azerbaijan's multi-vector foreign policy with specific examples, highlighting its engagement both in Europe and in other directions on the international stage.

In positioning Azerbaijan as part of the Global South, the country's leader emphasized the consistency of the steps taken to protect its interests, offering a brief overview of the days surrounding COP29. Specifically, one of Baku's goals as the organizer of this unique forum, as outlined by Ilham Aliyev, was to strengthen the bridges between the Global South and the Global North. Thus, the Summit of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) provided a significant backdrop to COP29, where Azerbaijan presented an ambitious agenda aimed at providing concrete assistance to these nations.

It is certainly no coincidence that, in light of President Ilham Aliyev's responses to the questions posed, the CGTN correspondent asked him to share his views on the subject of political leadership in the world. As it appears, it was Azerbaijan’s confident stride on the global stage, its successes both domestically and internationally, combined with the President's assured characterization of current world events and the future prospects of the planet, that led the journalist to raise this question.

The President of Azerbaijan identified the primary criterion for a political leader as immense responsibility and unwavering justice towards the citizens of the country. As Ilham Aliyev specified, a leader should never lie to their people, as the public will ultimately evaluate this approach. False promises will not only lead to disappointment and a lack of trust in the leadership but also to a political crisis. Sharing his views on this matter, Ilham Aliyev emphasized that throughout his presidency, he has always provided society with truthful information, whether it was positive or negative. It is for this reason that the Azerbaijani people trusted their president, including in his promise to restore historical justice regarding the liberation of the occupied lands. This approach was key to the restoration of territorial integrity, sovereignty across the entire country, and national dignity.

Therefore, the President of Azerbaijan advised leaders who seek public support to always speak the truth, taking steps that are in the best interests of the people and the country, regardless of any attempts at international pressure. "Do what is right for your country," Ilham Aliyev concluded, adding that this will not only lead to personal success but also to the successful development of the state.

And on this note, we conclude our review of the key messages that the President conveyed to all interested parties in his programmatic interview with the Chinese TV channel CGTN. We hope that all those involved will heed the words spoken by President Ilham Aliyev.