Azerbaijan's Aliyev says 'peace is achieved' with armenia after Munich talks
President Aliyev declares peace "achieved" with Armenia
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told FRANCE 24 on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference that, following an August White House summit, "peace is achieved" with Armenia. Asked directly about the state of bilateral relations, Aliyev said: "For me, it is done. " The comments were part of a wider interview in which he addressed a range of regional and security issues.
Refusal to grant clemency and comparison to Nuremberg trials
When questioned about the fate of imprisoned Nagorno-Karabakh separatist leaders, Aliyev firmly rejected calls for clemency. He compared the trial of those leaders to the Nuremberg trials, asserting they had committed "serious crimes against humanity. " Pressed to "turn the page" and grant leniency, he responded that their crimes were "even worse than what the Nazis did during World War II, " and declined to intervene.
Infrastructure plans and the TRIPP project
Aliyev expressed confidence in the TRIPP project, a proposed transport corridor—road and rail—through Armenia that would link Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhchivan to Europe. He told FRANCE 24 he had "no doubt that it will happen, " noting the corridor "carries the name of President Trump. " The project was discussed within the broader context of post-conflict transport and connectivity initiatives frequently raised at international forums.
Relations with France and diplomatic outreach
Relations between Baku and Paris had sharply deteriorated during the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Aliyev said there had been progress after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Copenhagen in October 2025, describing an agreement to "put a restart button" on ties and stating that both sides "are ready for that. " The Munich appearance and associated bilateral meetings formed part of a broader diplomatic push by Azerbaijan to rebuild and expand relationships.
Broader regional and international engagement at Munich
Analysts cited at the conference underscored Azerbaijan's high-level representation and active diplomatic role at the Munich Security Conference. A Trend News analysis highlighted President Aliyev's meetings with heads of state and international figures, noting that participation in the nearly 1, 000-delegate forum underlined Baku's growing role on regional and global security issues. Topics discussed reportedly included regional security, energy security, development of transport corridors, and evolving realities in the South Caucasus.
Meetings with regional leaders and partners
Trend News noted Aliyev held a range of bilateral contacts during the conference, including discussions with the head of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, where officials emphasized cooperation and potential mutual visits. A meeting with the president of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, reportedly addressed energy, trade and cultural cooperation, reflecting Azerbaijan's interest in expanding economic and political ties across the region.
Implications and next steps
The statements at Munich reflect a measured combination of hardline positions on accountability for the 2020s conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and an outward-facing diplomatic strategy aimed at consolidating Azerbaijan's regional influence. Aliyev's rejection of clemency for separatist leaders signals limits to reconciliation on justice-related issues, even as infrastructure initiatives like TRIPP and resumed bilateral contacts with countries such as France point to pragmatic engagement on trade, transport and security. Observers will be watching implementation of the TRIPP project and follow-up diplomatic contacts to assess whether declarations of "peace" translate into sustained normalization on the ground.
