President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan said Monday that peace in the region is possible during the Shusha Global Media Forum [1].
The remarks signal a critical juncture for Azerbaijan as it balances regional diplomatic aspirations with growing friction toward European political institutions and a desire to solidify its role as a global energy supplier.
Speaking at the forum on July 13 [1], Aliyev focused on the potential for stability. "Peace is possible," Aliyev said [1].
Beyond regional diplomacy, the president addressed the nation's energy strategy. He said that long-term gas contracts are needed for Baku to expand production [1]. This call for extended agreements is intended to secure the necessary investment to increase the country's output and strengthen its position in the international energy market.
Aliyev also addressed Azerbaijan's relationship with European oversight bodies. He said Baku is considering leaving the Council of Europe [1].
This potential withdrawal follows recent voting outcomes that have caused dissatisfaction within the Azerbaijani government [2]. The move would mark a significant shift in how the country engages with European human rights and legal standards, potentially isolating the nation from certain Western diplomatic frameworks.
Throughout the forum, Aliyev emphasized that the pursuit of peace and the expansion of energy infrastructure remain central to the state's current trajectory [1].
“"Peace is possible."”
The simultaneous pursuit of peace and the threat to exit the Council of Europe suggests Azerbaijan is attempting to decouple its regional security and energy interests from European political conditionality. By seeking long-term gas contracts, Baku aims to make itself indispensable to European energy security, potentially granting it more leverage to ignore or exit European political institutions without facing severe economic repercussions.
