Azerbaijani official comments on peace process with Armenia, regional connecti

Azerbaijani Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev has discussed the peace process with Armenia during a conversation with American economist and professor Jeffrey Sachs in Baku.

Hajiyev spoke about bilateral trade relations, the development of transport links, and opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy.

He said Baku also views the peace process in the context of transforming the South Caucasus into a platform for cooperation.

“In our bilateral relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, we are also putting the historical past aside. There are still unhealed wounds and memories that we cannot turn a blind eye to. At the same time, however, we are looking toward the future, toward lasting peace. Trade relations between the two countries have already begun. We are building links and developing connectivity,” Hajiyev said.

The Azerbaijani presidential aide said that Armenia is being offered the opportunity to join the region’s connectivity network.

“Armenia is a landlocked country. We are offering Armenia the opportunity to become a country connected to our region’s connectivity network, providing it with various opportunities to develop transport links,” he said.

Speaking about energy cooperation, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan plans to increase its renewable electricity generation capacity in the coming years. According to him, the country plans to have an additional 2 gigawatts of capacity in the coming years, followed by an additional 8 gigawatts of capacity ready for export.

Hajiyev said Baku also views these plans in the context of peacebuilding with Armenia.

“Now the war is over, and we are trying to present the economic benefits of the concept of peace, as well as the concept of green energy – the peace dividend. We hope that green energy will become one of the components of this strategy, including along the Caspian Sea,” he said.