On January 1, Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani President, addressed the nation with his New Year speech, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

He said: "We have further secured our historic victory achieved two years ago on the battlefield on a political level too. This October, Armenia officially recognized the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country at the meetings in Prague and Sochi. I believe we now have all the prerequisites to sign a peace treaty with Armenia, which is possible based on the well-known five principles proposed by Azerbaijan."

"Several military operations conducted this year once again proved the high combat readiness of our army. Operation Farrukh, Operation Revenge, and the military clashes along Azerbaijan's border with Armenia in September this year brought us another brilliant victory. As a result of the border clashes, Azerbaijan has gained a foothold in many strategically advantageous positions," the President emphasized.

Aliyev stated, "In parallel, demining of the liberated territories is underway. Unfortunately, Armenia has not provided us with the minefield maps. As a result, some 300 Azerbaijanis were killed or seriously injured in minefields during the post-war period."

"Large-scale work is underway on opening the Zangazur Corridor, with railways and motor roads being constructed. The Zangazur Corridor will definitely be opened, whether Armenia wants it or not. We demonstrate our firm commitment, and everything is going according to plan. Our demand is reasonable and just. We must and will have a communication line with the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, which is an integral part of Azerbaijan," Ilham Aliyev added.

"There have been many significant developments in the energy sector this year. In mid-2022, the Memorandum on Strategic Partnership in the field of Energy was signed between Azerbaijan and the European Union, which is already being implemented. Azerbaijan is increasing its natural gas exports to global markets. On December 17, we launched yet another new megaproject. An electricity cable under the Black Sea will allow Azerbaijan to play a more significant role in this area. Azerbaijan will become the primary supplier of electricity, which will be green energy. I have said several times that Karabakh and East Zangezur should become green energy zone. We are already achieving this and will continue in the same vein. Azerbaijan's primary renewable energy sources are of great importance to our country and the world. I have recently announced that the potential of Azerbaijan’s proven renewable energy sources is 184,000MW. 157,000MW of this volume is located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. This will make our country an indispensable partner in the energy sector," he stressed.

Hinting at Iran, Aliyev added: "Today is the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis. As always, I sincerely salute all our compatriots worldwide and wish them success. They know that behind them stands a strong, independent state of Azerbaijan. I am sure that Azerbaijanis living abroad today are rightfully proud that they are children of independent and victorious Azerbaijan. The International Congress of World Azerbaijanis held this year in Shusha was indeed a historical event. Holding the congress in Shusha had a great symbolic value. Just like the Azerbaijani society and citizens of Azerbaijan have come together as a single fist, I am confident that our compatriots all over the world, an absolute majority of them, will also follow the same approach. Either way, they can rely on the support of a strong Azerbaijan."