Washington: ‘The Trump administration demonstrated a lot of dedication to our agenda of peace,’ said Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration, in an interview with The Washington Times. He highlighted the immediate reciprocity and full engagement shown by Trump’s administration towards Azerbaijan’s peace initiatives.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Mr. Hajiyev expressed concerns about continued restrictions impeding the peace process. He noted that both Azerbaijan and Armenia face challenges in their efforts to strengthen peace, which are exacerbated by divisive legislative acts introduced by some members of Congress. In contrast, Mr. Hajiyev criticized the Biden administration for misunderstandings that have, in his view, inflicted damage on the peace efforts.
Mr. Hajiyev also discussed Azerbaijan’s approach to fostering economic ties with Armenia, mentioning the export of oil products and facilitation of grain shipments to Armenian markets. He believes these actions, though symbolic, carry significant geopolitical implications and are part of a broader effort to achieve peace not only with the Armenian government but also with its people.
He further emphasized Azerbaijan’s model of religious pluralism as a key factor in its suitability as a partner for Western engagement in the region. Highlighting the coexistence of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities in Azerbaijan, Mr. Hajiyev described this tradition as an integral part of the nation’s identity. He reiterated the strong determination for peace and the support previously received from the Trump administration.