Yerevan: The online participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the European Political Community summit held in Armenia is regarded as an important political event in terms of the positive dynamics of the normalization process in the region. The President's reiteration of Azerbaijan's commitment to peace during his speech at the event demonstrated that Baku's main priority at the current stage is regional stability.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan positively assessed Ilham Aliyev's participation in the summit and expressed his desire to attend the same event to be held in Azerbaijan in 2028. This indicates that opportunities for political dialogue between the sides are expanding.
The fact that the two countries, which were in a state of war several years ago, are now represented on the same platform demonstrates that the political atmosphere in the region has changed. The growing interest of European leaders in the region shows that the South Caucasus is no longer viewed solely as a conflict zone, but as a strategically important region in terms of energy, logistics, and cooperation.
Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Milli Majlis, Samad Seyidov, noted that President Ilham Aliyev's online speech at the 8th European Political Community summit held in Yerevan became the highlight of the event attended by European political leaders. He said in a statement to APA that the holding of this summit in Armenia, the participation of European leaders there, the discussion of various issues, and Yerevan's rapprochement with Europe happened on the basis of the new reality created by the Azerbaijani President.
According to Seyidov, the person responsible for this summit, the architect of this summit, sent a message in online format to European political leaders that the highest-level guarantor of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is the policy pursued by the President of Azerbaijan. He emphasized that European political leaders participated in meetings in Azerbaijan, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit, indicating a commitment to coordinate plans with Azerbaijan.
French political commentator Gil Mihaely stated that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's online participation and speech at the summit hosted in Armenia is itself a powerful political message. Mihaely explained that the President's approach reframes the conflict as a closed territorial issue and seeks to establish a durable political and stable order, aiming for regional cooperation and European integration.
According to Armenian political commentator Ishkhan Verdyan, President Ilham Aliyev's speech at the summit attracted attention with its constructive content, emphasizing long-term stability and mutual cooperation. He noted that the speech communicated a commitment to peace and a future based on stability and cooperation.
Despite these positive developments, the European Parliament's adoption of anti-Azerbaijan resolutions raises questions. The resolutions, including the use of terms like 'Nagorno-Karabakh,' are seen as distorting legal realities and interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs. President Ilham Aliyev criticized the European Parliament for sabotaging the peace process, highlighting the suspension of cooperation with the European Parliament by Azerbaijan.
Samad Seyidov expressed that the European Parliament's resolutions are deliberate provocations, while European structures understand Azerbaijan's importance for Europe's future. French expert Gil Mihaely pointed out that these resolutions reflect the hardline position of the Armenian diaspora and intra-European political interests, moving away from a balanced approach.
According to Armenian commentator Ishkhan Verdyan, anti-Azerbaijan resolutions do not serve Armenia's interests and are often adopted without Armenia's knowledge. Verdyan suggested that they are remnants of previous political approaches and have little impact on the normalization process, which is moving towards constructive cooperation.
Overall, the new political reality in the South Caucasus focuses on normalization and regional cooperation. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's participation in the summit underscores Baku's role in the peace process, while the European Parliament's resolutions reflect intra-European interests rather than regional dynamics, potentially damaging the peace effort.