Baku: President Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the 'Gernika Award for Peace and Reconciliation' Ceremony, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev expressed his gratitude to the Town Councils of Gernika-Lumo and Pforzheim, as well as the Gernika Peace Museum, Casa de Cultura, and Gernika Gogoratuz Peace Research Center for honoring him with the award. He emphasized the significance of the award in commemorating the tragic events in Gernika and its role in recognizing individuals who contribute to peace and reconciliation efforts.

President Aliyev highlighted the symbolism of receiving the award on Gernika Victims' Remembrance Day. He acknowledged the tragic history of Gernika, describing the events as a violation of humanity and humanistic principles, and paid tribute to the victims.

He underscored the importance of learning from history to ensure a more stable and secure world for future generations. Drawing parallels to Azerbaijan's own experiences, he noted that the country had endured the consequences of conflict for nearly 30 years and was now adapting to an atmosphere of peace.

President Aliyev recounted the significant milestone achieved during the Summit in Washington, D.C., in August 2025, where Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed a peace agreement and signed the Joint Declaration, effectively ending the long-standing conflict. He noted the positive impact of this new reality on Azerbaijan's development agenda and emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures between the two countries.

He concluded by emphasizing the role of international support and political will in achieving peace, expressing that the 'Gernika Award for Peace and Reconciliation' serves as both recognition and an impetus for further efforts towards global peace and prosperity.