ELYA AGHAJANYAN
One may find the main factors encapsulating Heydar Aliyev ’ s foreign policy in his inauguration speech in 1993 . In that speech , he repeatedly emphasizes the phrases “ sovereignty , territorial integrity and strengthening independent Azerbaijan ,” claiming that all impediments to this should be eliminated . 54 Armenia ' s military achievements were one of the main obstacles to the country ’ s development and consolidation of power .
The years 1994-1997 can be described as the first stage of Heydar Aliyev ’ s period regarding the NK peace process . This stage is mostly dedicated to ensuring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the international arena . After signing the ceasefire agreement , the central thesis of Heydar Aliyev becomes territorial integrity building presenting it as a “ serious barrier ” to the state-building process . 55 This same purpose served the speeches and statements of Heydar Aliyev presenting Azerbaijan as a “ victim ” attacked by the Armenians . 56
However , this kind of rhetoric changes slightly since 1996 , when Aliyev ’ s oil diplomacy succeeded , and he continued his efforts to integrate as many international partners as possible . Oil was a key factor for Heydar Aliyev ’ s foreign policy fostering close relations with foreign leaders 57 . At this period , multiple meetings were regularly conducted by the OSCE Minsk Group to foster relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan . Six meetings were held from 1995-1996 , and the result of these meetings was summarized in the Lisbon meeting on December 3 , 1996 . 58 The Lisbon meeting was important for Aliyev as it was his desire to finally ensure the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan . Even though the Armenian side vetoed this , Aliyev , in his return to Baku , claimed that the Lisbon Summit was a “ big victory of Azerbaijan ” due to the wide public opinion that the country has created over the years . 59 This was important , as Azerbaijan wanted to frame the NK issue as an Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh . 60 It was significant to make sure that the
54 Heydar Aliyev , Inauguration Speech , October 10 , 1993 , https :// lib . aliyevheritage . org / en / 66679364 . html . 55 Heydar Aliyev , Speech at the Third Bishkek Summit , August 28 , 1995 ,
https :// lib . aliyev-heritage . org / en / 2708059 . html .
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For example , Heydar Aliyev ’ s speeches addressed to the General Assembly in 1994 and 1995 . 57 Cornell , Azerbaijan Since Independence , 92 . 58 Remler , Chained to the Caucasus . 59 Heydar Aliyev , Interview for the Journalists of the Republic in the Plane while
Returning Home from OSCE Lisbon Summit , December 5 , 1996 , https :// lib . aliyevheritage . org / en / 6466482 . html . 60 Heydar Aliyev , Speech at the Lisbon Summit , December 2 , 1996 . https :// lib . aliyevheritage . org / en / 5705438 . html . 66