“The Abraham Accords started with Azerbaijan” Presidential aide Hajiyev tells Washington Reporter

The American outlet Washington Reporter has published an article focusing on Azerbaijani-American relations. Caliber.Az offers an adapted version of the piece for its readers.

President Donald Trump is the world’s leading peacemaker in his second term, and now his eyes are set on the former Soviet state of Azerbaijan.

Trump’s desire for deals is impacting conflicts ranging from Russia to Israel to Yemen and beyond. One simmering conflict that is yearning for American involvement — and for Trump’s support in particular — is the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In an interview with the Washington Reporter, the head of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy Affairs Department Hikmet Hajiyev expressly asked for Trump to help the quarreling countries come to an agreement to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

Such a reset would be a welcome change to Hajiyev’s country, which underwent a “hard time” while President Joe Biden was in charge.

“We were not appreciated well,” he said.

Saul Anuzis, the President of the International Institute, told the Reporter that recent peace deals have shown that “worldwide, the Trump effect is real and positive.”

“It is in America’s best interest to have both friends, Azerbaijan and Armenia, at peace,” he added.

The groundwork for a deal is also already there, and Trump could seize it, Anuzis added. “Coexisting and tolerance is a trait most civilized countries strive for.”

“Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are working to be responsible worldwide members,” Anuzis said.

The case for a rapprochement with Azerbaijan is clear from America’s standpoint. Azerbaijan led the entire world in drilling for oil. The first-ever oil tanker, the Zoroaster, was launched out of Baku in the mid-1800s and the country continues to produce massive amounts of oil.

Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Azerbaijan stood firmly on America’s side, allowing military aircraft to use its airspace. The former Soviet state was also the last military to officially leave Afghanistan, following Biden’s disgraceful and deadly withdrawal.

As one of the first Muslim countries to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, which Azerbaijan did shortly after Israel’s founding, Hajiyev said that his country is “ready to spread the values of the Abraham Accords.”

“The Abraham Accords started with Azerbaijan,” he remarked. As the Trump administration prepares to expand the accords to more Muslim-majority nations, it can turn to Azerbaijan for guidance.