President Aliyev: Strong relations with Azerbaijan crucial for US interests

President Ilham Aliyev underscored the importance of strong relations between Azerbaijan and the United States during his address at the international forum “Facing the New World Order” at ADA University. 

Speaking on the future of U.S. foreign policy, Aliyev expressed his belief that the second term of the Trump administration could bring renewed focus on national interests – an area where Azerbaijan can play a pivotal role, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“So his (Trump administration – red.) second term, definitely, that's my assessment, will be much more active and much more concentrated on Americans’ national interests than his first one. In American national interests, strong relations with Azerbaijan are very important for this region,” the President stated.

He also emphasised Azerbaijan’s position within the Global South and its success as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a position the country held for four years.

“Azerbaijan – as a part of the Global South, with a strong position in the Non-Aligned Movement, where we've been successful chair for four years, with our strong connections to the region of Central Asia, and capability, economic potential, energy resources, and army, which demonstrated its strength on the battlefield, not in the parades, and with the political connections – can be a very important partner for the United States,” President Aliyev said.

Reflecting on Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of NAM, President Aliyev noted the country’s efforts to revitalise the movement.

“With respect to the Non-Aligned Movement, for four years, we've been very helpful to all the member states. We left a good legacy in the Non-Aligned Movement,” he said.

“Because at a certain stage, this movement started deteriorating a little bit. So, we brought a new dynamism. We initiated the creation of the Parliamentary Platform, which was successfully created, and the Youth Platform. These are two important legacies of Azerbaijan, and we worked actively on institutional development of the Non-Aligned Movement and its potential transformation into an influential organization,” he added.

The Azerbaijani President also addressed the country’s significant achievements during its COP presidency, particularly on the issue of carbon markets.

“During COP, another important achievement was an agreement on making carbon market functional. This issue was not agreed for at least 10 years. So, it was agreed in Azerbaijan due to our chairmanship, due to trust in us,” said President Aliyev.

He underlined Azerbaijan’s bridge-building efforts between the Global South and Global North, highlighting the country’s diplomatic outreach and humanitarian initiatives, particularly in Africa.

“And also, of course, we played an important role in building bridges between Global South and Global North. That was one of the important assignments, which we put in front of ourselves. So, the way how we tackled COVID, the way how we hosted COP - by the way, until the end of the year, we will be president, - and bilateral contacts with African countries demonstrate clearly our agenda. And we see a very positive reaction to our efforts in many African countries. So, our foreign policy with respect to building stronger ties with African countries is already fixed and approved by me,” he said.

“We've been always very supportive to our friends in Africa,” the President continued. “When they needed our support during the times of COVID, we provided financial and humanitarian support to more than 80 countries, and majority of those countries were countries in African continent. Through different means, we support educational and medical programs.”

In a separate part of his address, President Aliyev also commented on the European Commission’s stance towards Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus.

The President remarked: “So, they, in the European Commission, should take out the glasses and look to the world from realistic point of view, and appreciate countries like Azerbaijan, not to try to divide the Caucasus into their favorites and those whom they don't like, and to behave as good partners.”

The forum, which brought together over 80 international experts and representatives of leading think tanks from 44 countries, served as a platform for discussing global power shifts and the reconfiguration of international relations.

By Vugar Khalilov