Azerbaijan Praises Trump Administration’s Support for Peace Agenda

London, The Gulf Observer: Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration, has praised the Trump administration for its commitment to advancing peace in the South Caucasus, while expressing concern over what he described as counterproductive legislative actions in the United States.

In an interview with The Washington Times, Hajiyev said the Trump administration had shown strong dedication to Azerbaijan’s peace agenda. “The Trump administration demonstrated a lot of dedication to our agenda of peace,” he said, adding that “what needs to be appreciated is Trump’s immediate reciprocity and full engagement.”

Hajiyev warned that continued restrictions and legislative initiatives introduced by some members of the U.S. Congress were working against peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia. “Both governments, Azerbaijan and Armenia, are making an uphill struggle of strengthening the peace,” he said. “But some in Congress are introducing completely unnecessary and divisive legislative acts.”

He also criticized the previous U.S. administration, saying relations suffered under former President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “With the Biden and Blinken administration, unfortunately, we had a lot of misunderstanding, and they inflicted a lot of damage,” Hajiyev said.

Highlighting practical steps toward reconciliation, Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan is fostering economic interdependence with Armenia, including the export of oil products and the facilitation of grain shipments to Armenian markets. “It may seem symbolic, but along with symbolism there’s really important geopolitical connotations,” he said. “We are making peace not only with the government of Armenia, but with the people of Armenia.”

Hajiyev further emphasized Azerbaijan’s tradition of religious pluralism, describing it as a key factor positioning the country as a natural partner for Western engagement in a volatile region. “We have Jewish communities, Christian communities living side by side with Muslim communities for centuries,” he said. “This is our tradition, this is our identity.”

He added that Azerbaijan remains firmly committed to its peace agenda and currently enjoys the full support of the Trump administration in pursuing regional stability.