Hajiyev highlighted the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, urging nations to pause their conflicts while they negotiate solutions to safeguard the planet. He stressed that despite the global political turbulence, climate concerns are just as vital as issues of security and peace.
Hajiyev acknowledged that some may view the proposed COP truce as overly ambitious. However, he reminded readers that the very fact that COP29 is taking place in Baku is the result of a truce that few believed possible. For Azerbaijan, peace and climate are intrinsically linked, as the nation earned the right to host the summit through peace negotiations with Armenia, a country with which it has had a long and difficult history.
He elaborated on how late last year, there was no consensus on a host nation for COP29, as it was Eastern Europe’s turn, but several veto threats complicated the decision. Armenia initially declared that it would veto Azerbaijan’s candidacy, but bilateral peace talks between the two countries led to a breakthrough. Armenia eventually agreed to support Azerbaijan’s bid to host COP29, and in return, Azerbaijan backed Armenia’s candidacy for membership in the COP Bureau. This historic agreement marked a significant step forward in interstate relations between the two nations.
The success of these talks, Hajiyev argued, yielded more tangible results than years of negotiations mediated by international actors. Commissions have been established to work on border delimitation, and part of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia has already been demarcated. A de facto peace has emerged, and real peace now appears within reach.
Nevertheless, Hajiyev recognized the obstacles that remain. The Armenian Constitution still calls for the annexation of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region, a revanchist stance that has repeatedly hindered peace efforts. He recalled how in 1996, Armenia’s then-president refused to sign the final declaration at an OSCE summit, citing the constitutional provision as a reason for rejecting any document that recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.
Another major hurdle, according to Hajiyev, is the ongoing militarization of Armenia by France and other Western countries. He argued that this militarization does not contribute to peace, but instead fuels irredentist tendencies. Hajiyev also criticized calls to release Armenian war criminals who had committed atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians, stating that they are wrongly labeled as prisoners of war.
Hajiyev further explained that Azerbaijan faces attacks not only from Armenia’s government but also from its opposition and the well-funded Armenian diaspora, which harbors strong anti-Azerbaijani sentiments. He described how these various Armenian factions often collaborate, but at times quarrel among themselves.
Despite these challenges, Hajiyev emphasized that Azerbaijan will not be derailed by the geopolitical pressure leading up to COP29. He pointed out that many host nations of COP summits face similar negative scrutiny from geopolitical rivals, and Azerbaijan expected no different. However, he distinguished between legitimate criticism and baseless accusations, such as the claim that Azerbaijan is hosting COP merely to improve its international image, or that the country will reject any climate deal that threatens its oil and gas industry. In reality, Azerbaijan is transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy sources, including wind, hydro, and solar power, Hajiyev noted.
He firmly stated that Azerbaijan will not allow the climate agenda to be exploited for political gain, calling out the Armenian lobby for using the climate platform to further their regional goals. For Hajiyev, such actions show a disregard for the shared environmental concerns that transcend borders.
In conclusion, Hajiyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to pursuing both peace and a global climate deal. Drawing on the negotiation experience gained in the post-war period, Azerbaijan will continue to push for cooperation in its region and beyond. He called on all those, whether allies or adversaries, who care about humanity to join in the journey toward peace and a sustainable future.
