Ilham Aliyev: "Baseless Notions That Anyone Can Dictate to Us Will Meet Our Resolute Stance"

Speaking at the opening of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a staunch rebuke against international double standards and reiterated Azerbaijan’s unwavering foreign policy independence. The head of state highlighted that despite Armenia’s decades-long occupation of roughly 20% of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory, ethnic cleansing displacing one million Azerbaijanis, and the demolition of historical sites including 65 mosques in Karabakh, no international punitive sanctions were ever imposed on the aggressor.

President Aliyev underscored the moral unacceptability of external actors attempting to lecture independent states: "Any sign of disrespect towards us, any manifestation of an unfounded sense of superiority, and baseless notions that someone can dictate anything to us have been resisted and will continue to be met with our resolute stance." The president pointed out that Azerbaijan’s accomplishments over the past 35 years were achieved without foreign assistance through the dedicated labor of its people, transitioning from post-war ruin to economic prosperity. Today, Azerbaijan serves as a key pillar in global energy and connectivity transit routes and a vital anchor of regional stability.

N. Tebrizli