Azerbaijan's peace initiatives: their importance is priceless

This event was undeservedly overlooked by domestic media. We are talking about the resolution titled "COP29 Peace-building Efforts and the COP Ceasefire Initiative," which was introduced in the Scottish Parliament. The resolution, posted on the official website of the Parliament, emphasized that COP29 was a significant event for promoting peace, international cooperation, and friendship around the world, including between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

It was noted that COP29 embodies the idea of how climate action can serve as a bridge between peoples to achieve peace and cooperation. Support was also expressed for the COP Ceasefire Initiative, which calls on all parties involved in ongoing conflicts worldwide to cease hostilities. The resolution highlighted that COP29 is a crucial moment for international climate negotiations and urged all participants to cooperate in the fight against the climate crisis.

The resolution was supported by 25 parliamentarians representing five political parties: Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Greens, and the Scottish National Party. This is yet another diplomatic, geopolitical, and image breakthrough for Azerbaijan as a country hosting COP29. Azerbaijan has always stood for a just peace based on respect for the norms of international law.

That is why, even during the occupation of 20% of our country's territories, official Baku insisted that the world community should consolidate efforts in the name of the triumph of international law, and in support of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, our appeals were, unfortunately, unheard at the time.

Sanctions from the United States and the EU were not imposed on Armenia, which occupied our lands for over a quarter of a century and committed numerous crimes. Armenia was not condemned for ignoring four well-known resolutions from the UN Security Council and the General Assembly. Azerbaijan was left to strive alone for the triumph of justice and international law.

And Azerbaijan succeeded! As a result of the 44-day war and the one-day anti-terrorist operation, Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity were fully restored. The well-thought-out and brilliantly executed strategy of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has been realized in practice, down to the smallest detail.

This strategy was for the victory of the Azerbaijani army, economy, diplomacy, and national unity. It was a victory over forces that strongly opposed the triumph of international law, covertly and openly supporting Armenia in its policy of occupation. It was a victory achieved at a huge, very costly price in the lives of our martyrs. Their memory will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of future generations of Azerbaijanis.

Because we know the price of this historic victory, peace has always been deeply valued in Azerbaijan. This is why official Baku initiated peace talks with official Yerevan, demonstrating its willingness to look to the future, despite the heavy losses and tragedies of the past. And now, slowly but surely, step by step, a stable and just peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is becoming a reality.

Yes, there are still countries that are not interested in this peace, trying to continue acting on the principle of "divide and rule." But it is precisely because Azerbaijan's peace initiatives and efforts are so valuable that they face fierce opposition from some leading world powers. Some of these, like Macron’s France, even attempted to disrupt COP29 in Baku.

Their efforts were once again in vain. COP29 was conducted brilliantly. Azerbaijan has once again earned applause and respect as a country capable of hosting the most ambitious international events. Moreover, Azerbaijan has once again shown itself to be a country that makes appeals to humanity on the most critical issues, from climate security to peace. And this is especially significant now, as fears grow that our planet could face a devastating nuclear confrontation.