President Aliyev Accuses Armenia of Stalling Peace Process

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted key issues pertaining to Azerbaijan’s internal and foreign policy agenda, particularly the ongoing peace process with Armenia and the country's military buildup, during the first session of the seventh term of the Milli Majlis on Monday.

President Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s efforts to normalize relations with Armenia following the Second Karabakh War and the subsequent anti-terrorist operation. While peace negotiations were initiated by Azerbaijan, the president expressed frustration over Armenia’s attempts to delay the process.

He accused Armenia of using stalling tactics, removing critical provisions from draft peace treaties, and displaying insincere attitudes towards lasting peace.

"Armenia is artificially delaying this issue," said President Aliyev.

"This inadequate and insincere attitude toward the progress of the peace agreement, along with delaying tactics and other issues, indicates that Armenia does not want peace," he added, emphasizing the lack of urgency shown by Armenia despite 10 rounds of exchange on the peace treaty.

A significant portion of Aliyev's speech focused on Armenia's increased military activities, especially Western powers’ support for Armenia's military expansion, which he described as a preparation for potential future conflicts.

“In some cases, it is open, as in the French-Armenian military cooperation, while in some cases it is concealed … We know who sends what to Armenia and when, which military cargo planes land at Armenian airports, and which military products are transported to Armenia on those cargo planes. In other words, the plans of some Western countries to turn Armenia against us are obvious,” President Aliyev stated.

Starting in November 2023, France has been supplying military hardware to Armenia, including the French-made “Bastion” multi-purpose armored personnel carriers and components of the French “ARQUUS” brand for “Bastion” under the contracts signed “for expanding bilateral cooperation”. The “Mistral” short-range surface-to-air missiles and three radar systems are also reportedly on the export list.

In August 2024, two Boeing C-17 military transport planes of the US Air Force reportedly delivered both military equipment and personnel to Armenia. The supplies included sniper rifles, night vision devices, specialized communication tools, body armor for Armenian special forces, strike mini-drones, small-scale mines, and various other munitions.

In response to Armenia's military buildup, President Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan's commitment to strengthening its military capabilities. He stated that military power remains Azerbaijan’s top priority, citing the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the fragility of international law.

"Without military power, we cannot succeed in any sphere — neither economic nor political," he asserted, highlighting that Azerbaijan's liberation of occupied territories in the Second Karabakh War was made possible by the country’s military strength.

President Aliyev also revealed plans to develop Azerbaijan's domestic military-industrial complex. He stressed the importance of reducing reliance on foreign arms markets, especially as global arms supplies are increasingly being diverted to meet the internal needs of major arms-producing countries. The president outlined efforts to expand Azerbaijan's military exports and open the sector to private companies, which he believes will significantly bolster the country’s military production.

Another key focus of the president’s address was the reinforcement of Azerbaijan’s borders with Armenia, particularly the 500-km conditional border which used to be under Armenian occupation, amidst the latter’s extensive armament and military treaties with foreign powers that make border security a top priority.

While President Aliyev expressed hope for normalization of relations with Armenia, he made it clear that Azerbaijan would not compromise on its sovereignty or security. He reiterated that Azerbaijan has no need for mediators in the peace process and that Armenia must take serious steps to adjust its policies to efforts aimed at peaceful coexistence in the region.