Baku:President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has emphasized the country's firm stance against external dictation, stating that any baseless attempts to impose will be met with resistance. This statement was made during the opening of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, as reported by APA.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, President Aliyev criticized Armenia for occupying nearly 20% of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory and conducting ethnic cleansing, resulting in the displacement of a million Azerbaijanis. He highlighted the destruction of religious and historical monuments, including 65 mosques in Garabagh, and pointed out the lack of sanctions or punishment for these actions, describing it as a double standard.

President Aliyev further stated that Azerbaijan's achievements over the past 35 years were accomplished without international assistance, overcoming challenges such as devastation and poverty. He noted Azerbaijan's growing role in global energy and transportation markets and described the country as an anchor of stability in an unstable region. The president's remarks highlighted Azerbaijan's independent policy and the respect it has garnered internationally.