Azerbaijan Pledges to Preserve Christian Heritage as Peace Talks With Armenia Remain an Uphill Struggle

Azerbaijan has affirmed its commitment to preserving Christian heritage within its borders, maintaining that historic sites located on its territory form an integral part of the nation's broader history. The remarks were delivered by Hikmet Hajiyev, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration and a senior aide to the Azerbaijani president, during a Euronews Forum panel at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.

Addressing regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts, Hajiyev characterized the pursuit of lasting peace with neighboring Armenia as a difficult process. He stated that while Azerbaijan achieved a military victory in past conflict, winning the peace represents an uphill struggle. According to Hajiyev, the Armenian government and leadership must actively work to prepare their own population for peace, warning that revanchist forces and elements within the Armenian diaspora remain strong and continue to threaten the historic peace process between the former rivals.

The presidential advisor also addressed past cultural destruction during the decades-long occupation in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. He alleged that Islamic cultural heritage and mosques in the region were subjected to complete destruction during the occupation, asserting that Azerbaijan views these historical losses not as a call for revenge, but as an unforgettable chapter of its history and heritage.

Emphasizing Azerbaijan's historical and cultural diversity, Hajiyev pointed out that the country belongs to the broader Islamic civilization while simultaneously hosting three major religions—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—with mosques, churches, and synagogues operating side by side. He explicitly stated that Azerbaijan is dedicated to preserving Christian heritage on its sovereign territory regardless of denominational background, emphasizing that this commitment is definitive because the sites constitute part of the nation's cultural heritage.

Hajiyev further detailed the region's ancient religious roots, noting that the area historically served as an early center of Zoroastrianism. He highlighted that Christianity was adopted as an official religion in the fourth century by the ancient Caucasian Kingdom of Albania—an historical kingdom located in what is now Azerbaijan and parts of southern Dagestan, distinct from the modern Balkan state of Albania—before the region subsequently adopted Islam.

The status and protection of religious sites remain a subject of sharp dispute between the two countries. Armenian church authorities have previously accused Baku of demolishing churches in Karabakh, allegations that Azerbaijan firmly rejects.

Beyond bilateral relations with Armenia, Hajiyev addressed Azerbaijan's broader foreign policy and relations with European institutions during the Dubai panel. He criticized the European Parliament and certain Western media outlets, asserting that European parliamentary resolutions and decisions undermine the regional peace agenda and act as part of the problem rather than the solution. He argued that European Union policy toward the South Caucasus should avoid a one-centric approach, embrace the entire region through balanced cooperation, and prevent the creation of new dividing lines.

Hajiyev also underscored Azerbaijan's ongoing role in European energy security, noting that the country currently supplies natural gas to 16 EU member states alongside other European nations. He added that the Middle Corridor connectivity initiative could further strengthen economic and logistical ties between Azerbaijan and the European Union as regional cooperation continues to develop.