On January 5, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by local TV channels.

AZERTAC presents the interview.

Mirshahin Aghayev from REAL Television: Good morning, Mr. President. We would like to thank you for the meeting today not only on behalf of our colleagues participating in this interview, but also on behalf of all Azerbaijani media.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you!

Mirshahin Aghayev: We do believe that, as always, the ideas you voice at today's meeting will create a strategic agenda and provide sufficient topics for the Azerbaijani media and the overall public environment.

In terms of achievements on the table in 2025, I think it can be described as “November 8” of years, and the culminating point of it is probably your historic visit to Washington at the invitation of the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, in August and, without a doubt, your speech at the UN General Assembly. The documents signed between the United States of America and Azerbaijan, the agreements reached are important not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the entire region. In this regard, I would like to talk about your appeal to the world from the high UN podium, and also about the documents signed with the United States of America. So what are your reflections on the days at the White House on August 8 and at the UN on September 21?

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. Our meetings are traditional in nature. Such meetings at the beginning of each year both bring the people of Azerbaijan up to speed with the results of the year through you and also provide the opportunity to share our thoughts. As you noted, last year can indeed be viewed as historic. Because it was in 2025 that the Armenia-Azerbaijan war ended from a political point of view, and we have been living in peace for several months now. We are learning what it is like to live in peace since after gaining independence, and even before that, the people and the state of Azerbaijan lived in a state of war. There were different stages of the war. You remember that well. The active stage of the war, the stage of the ceasefire, the Second Karabakh War, the anti-terrorist operation, the period that followed it – all these events ended in August of last year. In other words, Azerbaijan has put a political seal on the brilliant Victory it achieved on the battlefield and, as I mentioned, we did it in the world's number one office. This, of course, will be one of the most memorable events in the history of our independence, perhaps among the first of them. From this point of view, the past year can be regarded as a very successful and historic year for our country, for our people, and I am sure that from now on the people of Azerbaijan will live in peace. Although we have been living in these conditions for only five months, we are already seeing the fruition of this – both on the political and economic planes. There is an upbeat mood in society, there is greater confidence in stability and security. All these factors, of course, have enabled us to successfully move forward and continue to address all the tasks facing the country.

In the context of US-Azerbaijan relations, 2025 can also be regarded as a historic year. It is no secret that after Azerbaijan gained its independence, the notorious Section 907 hovered over US- Azerbaijan relations like a black cloud. Despite being a newly independent country, Azerbaijan was unable to establish proper relations with America, the number one state in the world. This was the result of the activities of anti-Azerbaijan forces in America, the activities of the Armenian lobby. Azerbaijan repeatedly made such attempts. At certain stages, our relations developed in a positive direction, but the existing restrictions, especially the continuation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, did not allow those in power in America to establish comprehensive relations with Azerbaijan. This restriction no longer exists, and, of course, there are two main reasons for that: first, the official end of the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, and second, the fact that President Trump's administration is in power in America. This administration includes members who are very pragmatic and professional, and they know very well what America's national interests are, with the President in charge. Of course, cooperation with a country like Azerbaijan, which has strong potential and influence in the region, is also important for the United States of America. So is it for us. Therefore, from this point of view, last year can also be seen as a turning point. At the White House, President Trump put an end to Section 907 at a ceremony held with my participation there. He removed it. However, Congress has yet to lift it officially. But the step taken by the President, especially in my presence, , carries a symbolic meaning, of course.

In addition, a document was signed to establish a strategic working group between America and Azerbaijan. The main direction of activity for this working group will be the preparation of a strategic partnership charter, and active work in this direction has already begun. Of course, the establishment of a geographic connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which we have dreamed of for many years, also took place on that very day. In other words, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor has already been approved by the US President. I am now convinced that the people of Azerbaijan have no doubt that the Zangezur Corridor will be opened. It may have a different name, but that does not change the essence. So all the issues required within the framework of the normalization process with Armenia were resolved the way we wanted. Of course, the importance of the peace agreement initialed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the joint Declaration we signed, are in plain sight. President Trump signed this Declaration as a witness. All these and other important events shed light on the issue you mentioned, perhaps from a broader perspective.

The issues I have mentioned are a chronology of events. This is the side that is open to the public. But at the same time, there is also a very active diplomatic movement today. The relations between Azerbaijan and America are developing in a very practical and result-oriented direction. Since October, I have dispatched four delegations to America – consisting of ministers, representatives of the private sector, and other senior officials. It is possible to say that the preparation of a strategic charter in the main directions and the organization of mutual investments, the coverage of the economic, trade, transport, and military-industrial directions of our relations are on the agenda. In other words, we have high hopes, and the results are fairly impressive. Therefore, from this point of view, 2025 can certainly be considered as a very successful and historic year.

Mumtaz Khalilzada from Azerbaijan Television: Mr. President, you spoke about that unfair Section 907, which was adopted back in 1992. Of course, after your historic visit to America, a decision was made to freeze it. I would like to learn your thoughts on the prospects for its permanent abolition. At the same time, how would you characterize its importance not only in terms of the economic aspects of Section 907 but also its political and strategic implications.