The Middle East Peace Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, concluded with the signing of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, marking a historic turning point toward restoring stability in the region.
Among the limited number of leaders attending the summit was President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who participated at the joint invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Analysts view this as a clear reflection of Azerbaijan’s growing influence and its active role in global diplomacy.
In an interview with Lebanon’s LBC International, political analyst Ahmad Shahidov stated that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become not only a regional power but also a promoter of global peace. He noted that Azerbaijan, by independently implementing UN Security Council resolutions and restoring its territorial integrity, has now become a model for peace in the Middle East.
Ahmad Shahidov emphasized that Donald Trump’s reference to the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace agreement during the summit was no coincidence, as it demonstrates Azerbaijan’s recognition as a reliable partner and mediator in peace processes. “Today, Azerbaijan stands not only as a guarantor of regional stability but also as an active contributor to global peace efforts,” he said.
He also pointed out that in just two weeks, President Aliyev attended four major summits — the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, the Organization of Turkic States Summit in Gabala, the CIS Summit in Dushanbe, and finally, the Middle East Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh — which together highlight Azerbaijan’s leading role in international diplomacy.
Shahidov added that Azerbaijan, while maintaining relations with Israel, also supports Palestinian independence and the two-state solution, a balanced approach that strengthens Baku’s role as a trusted bridge between the West and the Muslim world. “This policy contributes meaningfully to peace and humanitarian stability in the Middle East,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Ahmad Shahidov noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s participation and meetings during the summit reflect Azerbaijan’s strong global reputation, independent decision-making power, and credibility as a peace-oriented state. “Today, Azerbaijan may be geographically small, but its decisions place it among the world’s major powers,” he emphasized.
