President Ilham Aliyev’s interview with Euronews in Davos essentially reveals Azerbaijan’s position within the current international order, its claim to regional leadership, and the pragmatic course it has adopted in foreign policy. This interview is not limited solely to energy issues; it presents Azerbaijan’s broader model of behavior within a wider geopolitical framework.
International Order: The Azerbaijan Model in the Transition from Law to Power
“International legal norms no longer appear absolute for all members of the global community.”
This quotation reflects the President’s core assessment of the global system. Aliyev openly states that the world has entered a new phase in which rules are determined not by law, but by power. Interpreted this way, the approach explains the philosophy behind Azerbaijan’s policies in recent years: while referring to international law, Baku has simultaneously made strengthening its own capabilities a priority. In other words, Azerbaijan is pursuing a realist not idealist foreign policy and is focused on protecting national interests amid changing global rules.
Regional Peace: A New Status Quo in the South Caucasus
“We have been living in a peaceful environment for five or six months… Today, relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are already transforming into cooperation.”
This statement presents the new reality that has emerged in the South Caucasus from the perspective of official Baku. Here, the President delivers a clear message: Azerbaijan, as the victorious side, is now setting the rules of the game in the region and building peace on its own terms. The lifting of restrictions on cargo transportation to Armenia and the growing dependence on Baku for energy supplies demonstrate that peace is being consolidated not only politically, but also through economic mechanisms. This represents the South Caucasus version of the classic “economic integration for peace” model.
Energy Diplomacy: The Main Gateway to Europe
“We now export natural gas to 16 countries, 10 of which are members of the European Union.”
This sentence is one of the strongest foreign policy messages of the interview. Aliyev effectively underscores that Azerbaijan has become an indispensable actor in Europe’s energy security. The key issue here is not only the volume of gas exports, but also their geography. The President’s statement that Azerbaijan ranks first in the world in terms of the geographical reach of pipeline gas illustrates the scale of Baku’s geopolitical influence built through energy. Despite criticism in relations with Europe, this reality proves that Azerbaijan remains an irreplaceable partner due to genuine strategic needs.
The Iran Factor: A Cautious but Open Stance
“We are concerned about certain instabilities taking place in Iran.”
This quotation reflects Azerbaijan’s balanced approach toward its southern neighbor. Aliyev neither adopts an overtly interventionist rhetoric nor remains indifferent to developments. From an analytical perspective, this shows that Baku’s primary priority is stability along its borders. The President’s assessment that developments have had “no serious impact on oil prices” further demonstrates that Azerbaijan evaluates regional crises not emotionally, but through the lens of economic rationalism.
Relations with the European Parliament: A Strategy of Cold Distance
“We no longer react to this.”This short but firm statement describes Azerbaijan’s new tactic in its relations with the European Parliament. The President clearly indicates that criticism does not influence Baku’s policies and that Azerbaijan prefers to work only with real decision-making centers within European structures. The message is clear: in matters such as energy, security, and regional stability, Azerbaijan’s weight outweighs critical rhetoric.In conclusion, the Davos interview shows that Azerbaijan is no longer operating from a defensive position in foreign policy. Baku positions itself as an energy hub, a regional balancer, and an actor capable of adapting to global changes. President Ilham Aliyev’s words and the political meaning attributed to them clearly reveal one reality: Azerbaijan aspires to be not merely an observer, but a rule-setting player in the new world order.
Agil Alesger, President of Azerbaijan Yeni Çağ Media Group
