EU Reporter: Ilham Aliyev - architect of peace in South Caucasus

Ilham Aliyev is increasingly becoming a global leader in terms of both domestic and foreign policy. He has engraved his name not only in the history of Azerbaijan, but also in that of the South Caucasus and the entire surrounding region, according to an article by Derya Soysal, journalist-international affairs analyst and expert on Central Asia and the South Caucasus for EU Reporter.

Report informs that Soysal said since his accession to the presidency, Ilham Aliyev has established himself as a visionary leader, guiding Azerbaijan toward an era of stability, prosperity, and international recognition. Nevertheless, it is especially since his victory in the Karabakh war that he inscribed his name in history with golden letters. Over the presidency of Aliyev, the record of his actions reveals a profound and lasting transformation of the country. Since then, he has been called the leader who changed history.

"Aliyev is the great commander because he managed to rewrite history despite facing a whole lobby against him. During the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, many Western media outlets defended the occupier. Numerous social media platforms exerted psychological pressure on Azerbaijanis. Despite this, in 44 days he regained the entirety of his territories occupied by Armenia and was able to rewrite history," the author said.

She noted that the “Great Return” program (2022–2026) embodies the president’s determination to rebuild the liberated territories. Modern infrastructure, airports, roads, and power plants are being constructed—symbols of a promising future for these long-suffering regions.

The retaking of Nagorno-Karabakh was not only a victory over an opposing camp, it was a victory over an entire lobbying network spreading disinformation against Azerbaijan, Soysal said.

The author reminded that it was Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev who, shortly after securing a decisive military success in 2020, proposed a roadmap for peace and normalization.

"Over the last five years, the peace process—slowly, with some setbacks and interruptions—progressed along the very roadmap Azerbaijan had already suggested in 2020. In short, although he was largely advantaged over Armenia and stood as the power of the South Caucasus, he was the first to propose peace in order to establish stability in the region," Soysal said.

According to the expert, the fact that the victor no longer wanted tensions in the region, but sought the establishment of peace, shows that he embraces the role of being a Peacemaker. Azerbaijan’s role in securing vital corridors, including the Middle Corridor connecting Central Asia to Europe, has made the country indispensable in a shifting Eurasian balance.

Speaking about Azerbaijan's economic achievements, Soysal notes that Azerbaijan is moving toward its goal of becoming a high-income country. Azerbaijan’s economy is characterized by its transition from a primarily hydrocarbon-dependent model to a more diversified and sustainable one.

"Ilham Aliyev launched the first regional development program in 2004, aiming to reduce inequalities between Baku and the other regions. This initiative laid the foundations for sustained economic growth, with more than 2 million jobs created, industrial diversification, and a dramatic reduction in poverty. Under his leadership, Azerbaijan’s GDP rose from $7.3 billion to $78.7 billion, and foreign exchange reserves were multiplied by 47. The average salary increased more than tenfold, reaching nearly $500 in 2022," the author said.

Soysal reminded that President Aliyev positioned Azerbaijan as a pillar of European energy security through the Southern Gas Corridor project, including the TANAP and TAP pipelines. This ambitious project allowed Azerbaijan to become a key supplier of natural gas to Europe, strengthening its geopolitical weight.

In addition, economic diversification is supported by the increase in the number of tourists arriving in Azerbaijan."Azerbaijan’s tourism sector witnessed incredible expansion in 2024. In that year, Azerbaijan solidified its position as a top tourist destination in the region," she said.

Speaking about achievements in the country's foreign policy course, Soysal noted that Under his leadership, Azerbaijan obtained a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2011, with 155 votes, according to United Nations News (October 24, 2011).

In 2019, the country assumed the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement, reflecting its commitment to a balanced and multipolar world order.

"Today, Azerbaijan, completely independent, is becoming a respected regional power that commands respect. Aliyev is exemplary in the way he also protects the interests of Azerbaijanis in the diaspora. Baku no longer tolerates an imperial tone coming from Russia. Today, Baku is an independent player with a strong stance and a sovereign foreign policy. This includes its support for Ukraine and its rapprochement with the West. Azerbaijan is a reliable ally both for Central Asian countries and for the European Union, the United States, and Türkiye," the author said.

She noted that in twenty years, Ilham Aliyev has transformed Azerbaijan into a regional power, respected on the international stage, endowed with a dynamic economy and a modern army. "His leadership embodies resilience, strategic vision, and commitment to national sovereignty. The Azerbaijani people can look to the future with confidence, guided by a president who has succeeded in turning history into reality," the author said.