Information of the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the speech of Minister Jeyhun Bayramov at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum

On June 19, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov addressed the panel entitled “Southern Caucasus: New Opportunities for Peace and Cooperation” of Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The panel was also attended by Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani, Deputy Chairman Responsible for the Turkic World and International Relations Professor Dr. Kamil Aydin, former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza and historian Professor Dr. Jirair Libaridian.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about the historical changes in the security landscape of the South Caucasus in recent months, the restoration of law and justice in the region, replacing the "reality" created by Armenia in violation of international law and using it to its advantage. He noted that the end of almost 3-decade-long military occupation of territories of Azerbaijan has substantially changed the regional dynamics and opened perspectives for all the three countries of the region, as well as our neighbors and partners to benefit from cooperation.

Noting a unique chance of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to normalize their relations with the end of the occupation of our territories on the basis of mutual recognition of and respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders, the Minister underscored that establishment of good-neighborly relations and regional cooperation on the aforementioned basis has no alternative for sustainable peace and stability in the region.

Speaking about the steps taken by Azerbaijan shortly after the signing of the trilateral statement on November 10, the Minister stated that Azerbaijan demonstrates its true intention to normalize relations with Armenia. It was noted that the revanchism observed in the actions and rhetoric of Armenia is worrying. The Minister delivered that Armenia must abandon the illusion that changing borders by force can have a chance to succeed, and stressed that reliance on the groundless territorial claims in gross violation of international law has proved to be disastrous.

Afterward, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov answered the questions of the participants in the panel discussions.