Azerbaijan’s Envoy Details Pragmatic Approach to Regional Peace adn Diplomacy
On September 7, 2025, Elchin Amirbayov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, discussed the nation’s foreign policy and peace initiatives in an interview with the French editorial office of I24 news, as reported by Azernews.
Amirbayov addressed questions from journalist Christian Malar concerning the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the implications of the August 8th meeting in Washington D.C. for the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan’s role in international mediation, and broader global issues.
He characterized the initialing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on August 8th as a “meaningful step” towards normalizing relations, while cautioning that further action is required. Amirbayov stated that the Armenian side must now undertake “concrete steps” to fully sign and implement the agreement, specifically addressing provisions within the Armenian constitution that he described as contradicting Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and containing “unacceptable territorial claims.” He emphasized that amending Armenia’s basic law to align with the spirit and text of the initialled agreement is crucial for establishing lasting peace.
despite these remaining hurdles, Amirbayov acknowledged the initialing as a considerable advancement, attributing it to “a constructive dialog conducted in a bilateral format, the political will of both sides and, of course, the constructive support of a number of international partners.” He specifically lauded the contribution of US President Donald Trump to the process, expressing hope that continued commitment could ”open a new page in the history of the South Caucasus based on cooperation, stability, and shared prosperity.”
The Special Representative further outlined Azerbaijan’s long-standing foreign policy of pursuing a ”multifaceted, pragmatic, and national interest-based” approach, fostering bilateral relations with countries like Iran and Israel founded on “mutual respect, sovereignty, and shared interests.” amirbayov clarified that Azerbaijan dose not seek to align with either side in disagreements between these nations,but instead aims to facilitate constructive dialogue and contribute to mutual understanding. He stated, “We firmly believe that regional tensions should not hinder dialogue and that secret diplomacy can sometimes open unexpected paths towards detente,” adding that Azerbaijan operates with “caution, balance, and responsibility.”
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Amirbayov reiterated Azerbaijan’s support for a two-state solution as “a reliable and lasting basis for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians.” He acknowledged the conflict’s impact on the viability of this solution but stressed its continued relevance, emphasizing the “urgency of a negotiated political solution based on international law, the security and dignity of everyone.” He called on the international community to actively support any credible initiatives towards this end.The full interview is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEAw5BmZLvg.
