Top official: Azerbaijan remains committed to establishing lasting peace in South Caucasus
Azerbaijan remains committed to establishing lasting peace in South Caucasus regions, according to Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration.
Speaking at Karabakh University in front of members of the diplomatic corps, Hajiyev said the region of Karabakh had long been associated with conflict, Caliber.Az reports per local media.
“On the past 30 years, Karabakh was associated with war, conflict and bloodshed. But, while preserving the memory of past tragedies, including the Khojaly genocide, we are looking to the future – a peaceful future of Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus as a whole,” he said.
Hajiyev stressed that Azerbaijan’s foreign policy has consistently prioritised good-neighbourly and peaceful relations with all its neighbours.
"However, because we were in a state of conflict with Armenia, it was not possible to fully realise this priority. But today I can say that friendly and good neighbourly relations have been established between Azerbaijan and all its neighbours, including Armenia," he emphasised.
Hajiyev noted that peace is a complex and long road that requires diplomatic efforts.
"The government of Azerbaijan demonstrated such diplomatic courage and extended a hand of peace to Armenia," he stated.
Khankendi is one of the most peaceful cities in the South Caucasus
Hajiyev noted that Khankendi, as it gains a new lease of life, is becoming one of the most peaceful cities in the South Caucasus and is emerging as a centre for young people.
“Overall, Karabakh is a territory of innovation, growth, construction and reconstruction. Over the past five years, Azerbaijan has focused on these processes and represents one of the rare examples of post-conflict recovery, where the country, using its own resources, financial capacity and institutional mechanisms, is rebuilding territories almost from scratch,” the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan stressed.
WUF13
According to Hajiyev, Azerbaijan intends to present its experience in the reconstruction of de-occupied territories and urban development at the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
He recalled that Azerbaijan has achieved significant progress in restoring territories liberated from occupation.
“We are ready to share our own experience, to talk about the challenges we have faced, as well as to learn new approaches,” he said.
According to the Assistant to the President, Baku is also interested in exchanging experience with international partners on urban planning issues.
It should be noted that the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will be held in Baku this year from May 17 to 22.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
editor@caliber.az
+994 55 444-88-98
Азербайджан, Баку, ул. Низами, 203, Af Business House, 5-й этаж