"The interview given by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to the France 24 television channel in Munich can be assessed as a presentation of the new political architecture shaped by Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period to the international audience. Throughout the interview, the president systematically presented the stages of the regional peace process, the dynamics of relations with major powers, and Azerbaijan's security and geopolitical priorities."
These views were expressed by Member of Parliament Vasif Gafarov in a statement to the Operative Information Center-OMM.
"The head of state's statements show that Azerbaijan has formed new realities in the region and is acting as the party holding the initiative," the MP noted. According to him, the presentation of the trilateral document signed at the White House as the "end of the conflict" is not accidental, and this is an important step that provides international political guarantees to the process. Formalizing the document on the Washington platform brings the peace process into a global political framework and minimizes the possibility of reversal.
Vasif Gafarov believes that President Ilham Aliyev's distinction between normalization and a formal peace agreement is also a strategic approach. The MP emphasized that the existence of stability on the border and the opening of economic and transport links indicate that a factual peace environment has already been formed. "This presents the signing of a legal document not as the end of the process, but as a formal stage," the deputy added.
The lawmaker characterized the issue of changing provisions regarding Garabagh in the Armenian constitution as a fundamental requirement for long-term stability. According to him, this step is aimed at preventing possible future claims and revisionist approaches. Furthermore, the MP called the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter with the US a significant turning point. He believes this stage shows that Azerbaijan has moved beyond its status as an energy partner to become an active participant in the security architecture, strengthening the balance of power in the region.
“Speaking about the TRIPP initiative and the Zangezur corridor, the MP stated that ensuring a direct connection with Nakhchivan means the full integration of Azerbaijan in terms of communication. The project gaining international support further strengthens Azerbaijan's role as a transit country.”
Touching upon the court proceedings of the former separatist leaders in Garabagh, the MP noted that this issue should be evaluated in a legal rather than humanitarian context and is of great importance in terms of confirming state sovereignty.
Regarding relations with France, the MP stated that President Ilham Aliyev demonstrated a principled yet pragmatic position, expressing readiness to restore relations based on mutual respect. According to Vasif Gafarov, the interview confirms that in the post-conflict stage, Azerbaijan is no longer in a defensive position but acts as an actor shaping the regional agenda.
It should be noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has significantly increased its geopolitical influence following the restoration of its territorial integrity. The Zangezur corridor remains a key component of the regional transport strategy, intended to link mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave. Furthermore, since January 2025, US President Donald Trump has emphasized the importance of regional stability, aligning with the strategic interests of partners in the South Caucasus.
