Washington: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to representatives of Azerbaijani media in Washington, APA reports. During his visit, President Aliyev emphasized the significance of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and the establishment of a Strategic Working Group aimed at preparing the Charter on the Strategic Partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan. President Aliyev described the visit as a critical development in Azerbaijani-American relations, marking the opening of a new chapter of cooperation and strategic partnership.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the results of his visit, highlighting the sincerity and positive atmosphere of his meeting with President Trump. The establishment of the Strategic Working Group is seen as pivotal, with defined directions for future cooperation in various sectors, including mutual investment, energy, transport, communications, and security. President Aliyev remarked on the importance of not wasting time, noting that the previous administration’s tenure saw a stagnation in U.S.-Azerbaijan relations due to the influence of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations.
President Aliyev underscored the symbolic significance of President Trump waiving Section 907, which had previously prevented American aid to Azerbaijan. He characterized the waiver as a historical event and a testament to the renewed strategic cooperation between the two nations. This gesture, along with the creation of the Strategic Working Group, is expected to have positive implications for the entire region.
The visit also saw the initialing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, facilitated by U.S. involvement. President Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s role in initiating the peace process following the Second Karabakh War and expressed confidence that the agreement would bring lasting peace to the South Caucasus. He acknowledged Armenia’s requirement to amend its constitution to remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan, a step necessary for the formal signing of the peace treaty.
In response to concerns about the protection of Christians in Karabakh and the importance of the Zangezur corridor, President Aliyev assured that Azerbaijan values multiculturalism and religious diversity. He highlighted the potential benefits of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a transportation route that would enhance connectivity and integration in the region, offering opportunities for American trade interests.
Moreover, the visit facilitated discussions on American investments in Azerbaijan’s energy sector, with a Memorandum of Cooperation signed between SOCAR and Exxon. President Aliyev expressed optimism about a potential major oil discovery, emphasizing the role of energy in the bilateral cooperation agenda.
President Aliyev’s visit to Washington and his meeting with President Trump have introduced Azerbaijan to a broader American audience, dismantling previous narratives and fostering a new era of strategic partnership between the two nations.