Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has criticized what he described as continued pressure and negative coverage from Western institutions and media, stressing that Baku would maintain an independent position and defend its national interests.

Speaking at a meeting in Baku on September 15 with participants of international conferences, Aliyev argued that Azerbaijan’s participation in European institutions has exposed the country to what he considers unfair treatment. Referring to Azerbaijan’s membership in the Council of Europe, he said the country had faced such pressure in the past and expected it to continue.

Aliyev characterized the campaign against Azerbaijan as an effort to discredit the country and maintained that Baku would not alter its position under external pressure. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s readiness to openly defend what it considers its national interests, dignity and way of life.

The president also criticized the role of European and international organizations during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Aliyev argued that major international actors, including the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe and European Parliament, had failed to adequately address what Baku viewed as the occupation of Azerbaijani territory.

Aliyev specifically referred to the four UN Security Council resolutions adopted during the conflict, which demanded the withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijani territories. He claimed that these resolutions were not effectively implemented and accused European institutions of maintaining positions favorable to Armenia.

Aliyev's latest remarks were delivered during a meeting that also included Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev, representatives of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the OTS, organizers of the Yahya Bakuvi International Conference and members of the Supreme Religious Council of Caucasian Peoples.