Ilham Aliyev's statements at the media forum in Khankendi: legitimate demands of the victorious country

One of the most important political events of the week was the III Shusha Global Media Forum. Its 140 participants represented 52 countries, 30 news agencies, and 80 media structures. The Media Forum was marked by significant statements from the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

The Shusha Global Media Forum, which is becoming traditional, was dedicated this year to the theme "Digital Transitions: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age of Artificial Intelligence." The media forum itself has established itself as one of the visible symbols of Azerbaijan's Great Victory, the liberation of its lands from many years of Armenian occupation. Equally symbolic was the meeting of the head of Azerbaijan with the participants of the Shusha Media Forum in Khankendi, in the recently built Congress Hall on Victory Square.

Our legitimate demands

In the statements voiced by Ilham Aliyev in Khankendi and his answers to guests' questions, an important place was given to the assessment of the current situation in the Azerbaijani-Armenian settlement, writes the newspaper "Caspian". Especially in light of the meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia held on July 20 in Abu Dhabi.

Ilham Aliyev confirmed that the guarantee of peace should be international legal norms and documents that "will, as I said in Abu Dhabi, reinforce the coffin lid of separatism with concrete. And for this, the OSCE Minsk Group needs to be eliminated." In addition, "changes to the Armenian constitution are needed to remove the declaration of independence, which contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. And that's basically it."

The Zangezur corridor should become one of the elements of Azerbaijani-Armenian peace. "It is important for us, and I told my colleague in Abu Dhabi once again, that we have unhindered and safe access from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan," emphasized Ilham Aliyev. Adding that "this is our legitimate demand, and I consider it absolutely fair, otherwise our people will be at risk."

The President of Azerbaijan confirmed that the parties "are indeed very close to concluding a peace agreement." Expressing confidence in the irreversibility of this process, Ilham Aliyev stated: "Unfortunately, for centuries, the Caucasus has been an arena of bloodshed, conflicts, wars, occupation, and the peoples of the Caucasus have suffered a lot. Enough. Now we need to live in peace."

Protection of national interests

At the meeting with participants of the Shusha Media Forum in Khankendi, the President of Azerbaijan also revealed the essence of our country's relationships with the largest power centers. The essence that rejects any attempts by external circles to disregard the interests of Azerbaijani sovereignty, to impose their will on Baku.

Ilham Aliyev stated in Khankendi that the protection of national interests is a fundamental factor in Azerbaijan's policy. This principle characterizes Azerbaijan's relations with all great powers, including the United States.

Azerbaijan seeks to restore strong partnership relations with the United States, and as Ilham Aliyev explained, he has already received "very positive signals" from Donald Trump's administration. This gives reason to talk about the White House's intention to end the policy of the previous administration, which, in Ilham Aliyev's words, "practically destroyed American-Azerbaijani