"Azerbaijan's role in regional processes, at least at the regional level, is steadily increasing," President Ilham Aliyev said while answering a question about Azerbaijan becoming a reliable center for resolving the most complex international issues at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, APA reports.
"I highly appreciate your high assessment of Azerbaijan's role. This question could be answered at great length, as there are many factors involved. But first and foremost, I would mention trust. It is trust in Azerbaijan's sincerity. In the cases you mentioned, as well as in others, everyone who has asked us to mediate or support a normalization process has known very well that Azerbaijan has no hidden agenda. And that is indeed the case. We have never pursued hidden intentions. Wherever we have been able to help, we have done so sincerely. This has become the established course of conduct of our state. If we have the opportunity to help, we should do so. If we do not, then it is simply not possible. There were times when we lacked such opportunities. Today, however, we have them—financially, politically and in other respects. Therefore, I believe that trust is the key factor.
First, the parties are confident that confidential information entrusted to us will not be leaked, and it never has been. If such a thing has ever happened, it certainly did not originate from us.
Second, the parties believe that we will act honestly toward all sides, including those unable to reach common ground with one another. There have been many such cases, both in the recent past and earlier. Naturally, this pleases us. It shows that thanks to the trusted relations we have built, we are able to be useful to certain countries. We provide them with an opportunity to discuss important issues and reduce tensions. This has already become one of the important factors of regional politics.
Today, Azerbaijan's role in regional processes, at least at the regional level, is steadily increasing. This role is positive and constructive. We will continue to help wherever we have the opportunity to do so.
I think there is another important factor. I touched on it earlier—the Non-Aligned Movement. This organization unites 120 states. Many of them do not like each other very much, and some are even at war. Nevertheless, they all unanimously voted for Azerbaijan's chairmanship. When we were first elected, that could perhaps be explained by the fact that we had campaigned and introduced ourselves. But three years later, our performance was evaluated. We fulfilled every promise we had made. Then, when the issue of extending our chairmanship arose, the member states once again approached us and asked us to continue. Once again, all of them voted unanimously.
The same approach exists at the regional level. I believe the main reason for this attitude toward Azerbaijan is our honesty and reliability. I cannot find the exact equivalent in Russian, but in Azerbaijani there is an expression, 'ağzı möhürlü olmaq'—meaning to be able to keep a secret entrusted to you. I think this is exactly why Azerbaijan enjoys such trust," the head of state noted.
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