THE word "peace" is being heard everywhere lately—inversely proportional to the quantity and quality of peace on the planet. Therefore, talking about peace today is important and necessary. But not simply to chalk up peacefulness as a bonus. You need to demonstrate with your own actions that you truly understand the essence of this concept, so crucial for the future of civilization.
Azerbaijan is one of the few countries that has felt and understood this essence firsthand. And when the President of Azerbaijan speaks of peace, he's not simply paying homage to current trends, but clearly understands the value of peace and what it means to live peacefully.
The 13th Global Baku Forum has opened in Baku. This year's theme was overcoming differences during transitions. This is an important and relevant topic. Despite the complexity of international conflicts and the rapidly changing norms and rules of coexistence between states, there is still a chance to return to diplomacy as a way to overcome differences. Baku has considerable experience in this area, which it is willing to share.
Yes, there was a thirty-year occupation and two bloody wars, but now yesterday's enemies have embarked on the path of peace, and this peace is real.
Speaking at the opening of the Global Baku Forum on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, President Ilham Aliyev called the situation unique. "In our case, if peace is established between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is also unique, as the period from the last bloody clash in September 2023 to peace in August 2025 was less than two years. I believe this is an unprecedented speed of normalization, made possible by strong political will and the understanding that eternal hostility is impossible and the war must end. This was a choice made by both countries, and now, as I said, we have been living in peace for seven months. And we see the benefits of this. I have repeatedly stated and will not cease to repeat that there is nothing better than peace," the Azerbaijani leader said.
He emphasized that peace with Armenia hasn't just been achieved on paper. And it truly is. The peace between the two countries is real and tangible. There's no more shooting on the border, there are no casualties, everything is calm. This is a tremendous achievement, considering the previous thirty-five years of the region's history. Ilham Aliyev briefly but succinctly recounted that period and said: this isn't just theory, but real experience that will certainly be taken into account when seeking solutions to existing conflicts. "I believe that as a country that has survived occupation, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, that has restored its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and dignity by force, and then offered peace to a defeated enemy, we can share our unique experience with the international community," Ilham Aliyev said.
Some might find the experience of the small countries of the South Caucasus trivial when applied to a situation where powers clash. But the principles of war and peace are always the same. As are the principles of diplomacy. As are the consequences of armed conflict. The Cuban missile conflict could have been a catastrophe for our small region. And today, this catastrophe would have been felt not only by the South Caucasus, but by the entire continent. Thanks to the peace process launched by the victorious country, this did not happen. While everything around us is in turmoil, a forum attended by several hundred guests is gathering in Baku because Azerbaijan is secure and stable, because there is no longer confrontation or tension in the space from the Caspian to the Black Sea. And also because Baku knows how to solve complex problems and defuse the beginnings of escalation. It knows how to negotiate. The humanitarian aid recently sent to Iran is a striking example of this. Azerbaijan was the first to take this step.
After that, Russia announced its intention to send humanitarian aid to Iran. That is, Baku did something that even Iran’s allies did not dare to do.
But that's just a side note. After all, we're talking about peace and the ability to maintain it.
It's highly significant that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has been vocal about peace these days, even from the European stage. It would be unfair not to mention this, because without the current Armenian leadership's rational approach to reality, it would be difficult to talk about lasting peace. Peace is not a single-lane highway; it's a multi-lane thoroughfare, which we must travel together in the same direction.
The Armenian Prime Minister addressed the European Parliament on Wednesday. He also spoke of peace, border stability, Azerbaijan's opening of communications and the benefits these steps will bring to Armenia. He also spoke of TRIPP and Yerevan's firm commitment to implementing it. Pashinyan thanked Baku, thereby drawing a barrage of revanchist criticism. Supporters of returning the region to the situation prior to September 27, 2020, went into overdrive and filled the media and social media with offensive attacks against the Prime Minister. And on Thursday, Nikol Pashinyan further angered the opposition by declaring that Armenia's new Constitution should not reference the Declaration of Independence. In other words, the country's Basic Law should not make claims on neighboring territories. It should be noted that the Declaration makes claims not only against Azerbaijan but also against Turkey. Against the backdrop of the current peace process and the beginning of flights from Istanbul to Yerevan, such points appear highly toxic and could destroy dreams of long-term peace.
Pashinyan's kind words about Azerbaijan provoked hysteria in the opposition, not only because of the context. The European Parliament has always been a platform for anti-Azerbaijani propaganda, a fact the Armenian side has successfully exploited for many years. Thanks to its active lobby, the EP has taken a position on regional issues that is sometimes diametrically opposed to the EU's. Until now, no Armenian leader or other high-ranking official has dared to speak from this podium in a different light. Therefore, Pashinyan's speech, and especially his words of gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan, provoked a strong reaction. This is a display of political courage, especially given the tense situation in Armenia in the run-up to the elections.
But Pashinyan has reasons to take risks. Everything being done today, everything being discussed between Baku and Yerevan, benefits Armenia and the Armenian people. If the Armenian people are going to live peacefully and prosperously in this region, they need peace with their neighbors. Not strong allies, not an influential lobby, not a wealthy diaspora, but peace with their neighbors. The fact that no one is shooting and dying on the borders anymore, and that fuel prices in Armenia have fallen thanks to Azerbaijani supplies—all this is a result of good relations with Azerbaijan. And other opportunities lie ahead for Armenia.
At the opening ceremony of the Global Baku Forum, President Ilham Aliyev said: "Now, after achieving peace with Armenia, we are working closely on a new expansion of the Middle Corridor, which will pass through its territory. And for the first time in its independent history, Armenia will also become a transit country, which it is not today. This will allow us to connect the two parts of Azerbaijan – the mainland and our exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic – through sustainable transport links, energy connections, fiber-optic communications, power cables, and, potentially, pipelines. So for us, I mean for all of us, it's a win-win situation."
Before peace was established, Armenia couldn't even dream of becoming part of something larger. The country, having seized its neighbor's territory, was isolated and of no significance to anyone. Its guardians and allies were also reluctant to engage it, given its diplomatic, political, and economic capabilities, severely limited by the conflict. Only an enemy could fail to see how much the situation has changed today. Armenians look for enemies elsewhere, but in reality, their true enemies are right here.
Baku and Yerevan's peace agenda has already been embraced by both the West and the East. These two small countries have set an example that could be very useful. Or rather, it could be very useful if the ambitious powers heeded it.
There's nothing unbelievable in the President of Azerbaijan's speech at the opening of the 13th Global Baku Forum. It reflects real experience and an understanding of reality as it is, not as people want it to be.
Author: Leila Tariverdieva, Day.az
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
