A few years ago, the region was divided by borders, lines of contact, and wars, but today real peace exists in the South Caucasus, and Azerbaijan will continue all its efforts to strengthen this peace. We have demonstrated both political will and diplomatic courage in this direction. While this may sound simple, it actually carries a very deep meaning because the Caucasus has historically not fully experienced peace, and we are shaping it now. We cannot deny the past; that would be unrealistic. We have had a difficult history, but we are moving forward into the future, leaving it behind.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that these views were expressed by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, during a panel session titled "South Caucasus: On the Way to Becoming a Strategic Hub" held within the framework of ADF2026.
He noted that Azerbaijan is not only a South Caucasus country but also a nation with a multifaceted geopolitical identity: "On one hand, we are part of the South Caucasus; on the other hand, we have ethnic, historical, and cultural ties with Central Asia, and we are a part of that space as well. At the same time, we actively participate within the Organization of Turkic States, which is emerging as a new platform for geopolitical cooperation. Furthermore, our geographical proximity to the Middle East creates opportunities for cooperation in that direction. The Azerbaijan–Turkiye–Syria cooperation is a clear example of this."
The South Caucasus region has undergone a significant transformation following the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Baku's current foreign policy emphasizes the creation of a sustainable security architecture and the development of the Middle Corridor, a strategic logistics route connecting Asia and Europe. By leveraging its unique position at the crossroads of major civilizations, Azerbaijan continues to act as a bridge between the East and West, fostering regional integration and economic stability through multilateral platforms like the Organization of Turkic States.
