The Brussels Signal portal has published an article by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, highlighting Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote regional peace and cooperation, and the country’s contribution to strengthening Europe’s energy security

The article mentioned that although diplomacy between Azerbaijan and the EU has concentrated on the territorial dispute with Armenia, the advent of peace has brought economic factors to the fore, establishing a new, central focus for cooperation.

The author noted that the Karabakh issue has been ended following the short-term anti-terror operations carried out in September 2023. “The ethnic Armenians have mostly left the region and the two countries can today move forward with joint infrastructure projects,” the article mentioned.

The article quoted Hikmet Hajiyev as saying to the journalists in the EU capital last week: “We won the war, now let’s win the peace. We are completely transforming the region and solidifying Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agenda.”

“For many, this means completion of the Zangezur Corridor, a road-rail project lying at the intersection of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran and Türkiye: An axis that could potentially link China and Europe (the US is in partnership with Armenia for its section of the link, named after President Trump),” the article noted.

“Azerbaijan is also flogging its potential as a provider of both more gas and renewable electricity. While geological studies are incomplete, there are thought to be gold deposits; there might be rare earths,” the author underlined.

According to the author, Azerbaijan's location—bordering sanctioned nations like Russia and Iran—has significantly influenced the region's dynamics.

The article also recalled Russian air strikes on SOCAR energy facilities and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv, along with the terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran.

The article also emphasized that downing” in 2024 of an Azerbaijani Airlines plane en route from Baku to the Chechen capital Grozny, caused a tragedy resulting in the deaths of 38 of the 67 people on board.

President Putin has “addressed the four concerns of Azerbaijan” says Hajiyev. “Number one, we expected an official apology. Number two is the investigation of the fact. It was also admitted that a proper investigation will be done, and then bringing to justice of the ones who have committed this crime.

“All of this escalation of tension may affect [us],” says Hajiyev. “But nevertheless, Azerbaijan is an island of stability and security and prosperity, and we will continue to just solidify it.”

“The end of the conflict with Armenia has triggered a revision of Baku’s foreign policy. Azerbaijan now considers itself a central Asian country bestriding the Caucasus mountains and the Middle East. Azerbaijan’s geopolitical identity has become “multiple”, the article said citing Hikmet Hajiyev.

Elvin Movsum

Special correspondent