Azerbaijan warns of threats to peace process with Armenia

Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, has expressed concerns regarding “revanchist forces” in Armenia and the Armenian diaspora that he claims are undermining the peace process between the two nations. Speaking at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, Hajiyev stated that while Azerbaijan has won the war, achieving lasting peace remains an “uphill struggle” that requires the Armenian leadership to prepare its people for reconciliation.

Hajiyev addressed the issue of cultural heritage, noting that Armenian forces previously destroyed mosques and Islamic sites in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Conversely, he emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to preserving Christian heritage within its sovereign territory, citing the country’s long history of religious coexistence involving Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Additionally, Hajiyev criticized the European Parliament’s stance on the South Caucasus, suggesting its position hinders peace efforts. He called for more balanced cooperation from the EU and highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in European energy security and the potential for increased connectivity through the Middle Corridor project.