Ilham Aliyev

Aliyev met Pashinyan in Bishkek on Aug 31 at the SCO Summit to discuss implementing the August 2025 Washington Peace agreements, including TRIPP and the peace treaty, and agreed on concrete economic steps: Azerbaijani petroleum exports to Armenia and third-country grain transit through Azerbaijan. His government continues conditioning a final treaty signing solely on Armenia removing territorial claims from its constitution, with nearly 13 km of border delimited. Azerbaijan keeps transiting Russian grain, coal, and propane to Armenia and has directly exported 15,000 tons of diesel and 5,000 tons of gasoline.

Signed a Treaty on Eternal Friendship with Uzbekistan's Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, setting a $1 billion trade target by 2030 and launching the $5 billion Sea Breeze Uzbekistan development. Announced expansion of Central Asian cooperation from C5 to C6 format, describing Azerbaijan's participation in Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Heads of State as deepening Eurasian integration. Ratified an economic cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan and cast the Organization of Turkic States as carrying shared Turkic history into the future.

Positioned Azerbaijan as a "middle power" and strategic transit hub at the Shusha Global Media Forum. Pipeline gas exports exceeded 25 bcm in 2025, now supplying 16 countries including Germany and Austria, with 65% growth in EU supply since 2022. Announced expanded strategic partnership with China covering solar manufacturing and BYD electric bus production. Approved the Reliable Partner Concept to modernize customs infrastructure through 2028 and convened with EU Commissioner Jorgensen on Southern Gas Corridor cooperation.

Suspended cooperation with the European Parliament and withdrew from Euronest after the EP passed a resolution condemning Azerbaijan for detaining Armenian POWs, telling the EPC summit the EP was "sabotaging" the peace process. Warned Azerbaijan has "seriously considered" withdrawing from the Council of Europe, saying no one in the country would notice. Azerbaijan's MFA summoned the Council of Europe envoy to protest an ECHR ruling using "NKR" and "line of contact" terminology.

Personally inspected restoration projects in Shusha and Khojavend districts, visiting rebuilt villages, meeting returning IDPs, and reviewing infrastructure including houses, schools, and fiber-optic lines. Inaugurated the rebuilt Shukurbeyli village in Jabrayil district with 635 homes, a school, and medical center. Outlined plans for the Araz Valley Economic Zone Industrial Park and three solar power plants totaling 340 MW, framing IDP returns as a celebration for the entire Azerbaijani people.