On December 6, co-organized by ADA University and the Center of Analysis of International Relations, the Forum titled "Karabakh: Back Home After 30 Years. Accomplishments and Challenges" was held with the participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at ADA University, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

Speaking of the relations with Central Asian countries, "We here in Azerbaijan – I think as many other countries – do not know what will be the end of this geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the West. Therefore, taking into account the situation in our region, in the Caucasus, the situation on the borders of Central Asian countries, particularly in Afghanistan, the security issues should be top priority."

Aliyev noted the events after the Second Karabakh War: "It was us who offered peace to Armenia. I remember after the war when the former Minsk Group was coming and going, I felt that they themselves did not know what to do. Because their job is not needed any longer. Azerbaijan implemented most of the provisions of the so-called Madrid principles, which were considered as a basis for settlement. They didn't know what to do. It was again Azerbaijan that we said, 'We need to have a peace agreement.' We said, 'We need to have commissions on delimitation.' It was not Armenia, it was not Brussels, it was not Washington, Paris or Moscow, it was us."

The Azerbaijani leader elaborated on the detailed information about the possible peace agreement, "So just for more detailed information about what this peace agreement is — it's a document of maybe six-seven pages maximum with less than 20 articles. So, for such a small document, Armenia needed 70 days to respond to us. And they responded only after the Azerbaijani foreign minister publicly disclosed that. Look, we've been waiting for two months. Why don't you respond? So, this shows that the side that delays the process is not Azerbaijan; it is Armenia. Why did they delay? I don't know whether it was their decision or their new friends advised them in some European capitals. I don't know; I can only suspect. But the fact is that the comments, we sent on September 11, we received on November 21. So, now our Foreign Ministry is evaluating those comments and we'll send it back." Aliyev added: "I think the meeting of foreign ministers will be appropriate after that. Now we see that we are still not close to a consensus, but many important issues, which Armenia insisted on in the beginning, now do not exist any longer. They do not exist on the ground, and they do not exist in their comments. I don't want to go much into the details because you understand it's a confidential document."

Regarding the relations with Georgia and its EU aspirations, Aliyev noted, "Concerning Georgia's aspirations to become a member of EU, we can understand it and wish Georgia success and congratulate our Georgian friends with this new development and the status, which they got. Understanding that, of course, it's a process. We know some countries waited for many years. I don't want to mention Türkiye because, with Türkiye, it was absolutely unacceptable and unjust to keep Türkiye far from Europe despite being a candidate for so many years. Also, if you look at the Balkans, we'll see that the countries still have to wait. As far as I see the situation now concerning discussions on the European track, there is no consensus about expansion, but this is my observation; anyway, I wish success. When Georgia becomes a member of the EU, I'm sure nothing will change in our relations, especially with respect to energy cooperation, because you know that Europe is a main destination for our energy resources, whether it's oil or gas." He added: "I think Azerbaijan does not have the target to become an EU member in its foreign policy concept for a very pragmatic reason, just because we will never be allowed in. And the reason is also very clear, and we understand it. We live in the real world, not in the virtual. So, why should you knock on the door if you are not allowed in? You will only irritate the homeowner and only humiliate yourself if they don't want you." Aliyev emphasized, "We found a way to build relations. However, I would say that Mr. Borrell's recent statement is absolutely counterproductive. His yesterday's statement about 150,000 Armenians who left Karabakh is false. I regret that such an experienced European diplomat is lying. Even Armenians themselves said there had been 100,000 people who left Karabakh, not 150,000. If Mr. Borrell continues like that, in one month, he will say there'll be 200,000. It will depend on the dreams which he sees. But again, it is absolutely unacceptable, not only this manipulation with figures but also accusations against Azerbaijan concerning something that we haven't done. It is especially strange that his country, as our Foreign Ministry already announced, suffered from separatism. So, how can he defend separatists? This is very strange. So, approaching your question broadly, first, I'm sure that when Georgia becomes an EU member, nothing will change in our relations. On the contrary, we will have another close friend in the EU who will defend us. We hope that the Georgian members of the European Parliament will educate European parliamentarians about Azerbaijan, and they will be more realistic."

He also talked about the mediation efforts by the EU and the US: "Concerning efforts of President of the European Council Charles Michel, Azerbaijan and I personally always supported his efforts in finding a long-lasting solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He has organized several meetings in Brussels. We are now in the process of discussions about a potential new meeting. My assistant, Hikmet Hajiyev, is in regular contact with President Charles Michel's team. There have been already five meetings. The next meeting should be result-oriented. We need to agree on the draft statement before. It must be agreed between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the European Council. The meeting must be well-prepared and result-oriented. Because if it is not result-oriented, it will send the wrong message to our peoples and the international community." Aliyev stressed, "We said okay, if there will be no high-ranking official visits from Azerbaijan to the United States, how can our foreign minister go there? You say there will be no visits but invite our foreign minister. Can you explain us? And well, I don't want to go into much detail. So, if there is no business as usual, okay, we accept it. Then, it means that Washington is also out of the picture. So either they should say that business as usual continues, and I hope to hear it today and we will restore the Washington process, or there'll be only Brussels and Moscow."