23 December 2025 16:05

On 23 December, a training session for media representatives titled “The new peace architecture of the South Caucasus, regional diplomacy, and media literacy” was held, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MFA) and the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center).

The year 2025 has been marked by significant events both for Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus region. In particular, the initialing of the draft “Agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia,” as well as the termination of the OSCE Minsk Process and its related structures, are assessed as a logical and successful outcome of the peace process initiated by Azerbaijan.

At the same time, as a result of Azerbaijan’s consistent and principled diplomacy, some states that previously demonstrated a biased position towards Azerbaijan during and after the 44-day Patriotic War are now accepting the new geopolitical realities, taking them into account, and expressing their intention to open a new chapter in relations with Azerbaijan.

The main objective of the training jointly organized by the MFA and the AIR Center is to contribute to enhancing the professional and analytical capacity of media representatives regarding these processes and their international political significance.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Board of the AIR Center Farid Shafiyev noted that organizing media trainings in the field of foreign policy for the third consecutive year is important for increasing the level of awareness among journalists specializing in this area. According to him, improving the professionalism of media representatives is essential for accurately and objectively presenting national interests at the international level.

In the first session, Head of the Press Service Department of the MFA Aykhan Hajizada delivered a presentation on “8 August: Initialing of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement in Washington and next steps towards ensuring peace in the South Caucasus”; Member of the Board of the AIR Center Javid Valiyev spoke on “Azerbaijan–Organization of Turkic States (OTS) relations in the context of the ongoing peace process with Armenia”; and Head of the Analysis and Strategic Studies Department of the MFA Shahin Shahyarov presented on “The role of the Republic of Azerbaijan and relations with neighboring states in the newly formed geopolitical environment in the South Caucasus.”

In the second session, Head of Department at the AIR Center Vasif Huseynov delivered a presentation on “A new phase in Azerbaijan–US and Azerbaijan–France relations after the Washington meeting and reassessment of the EU’s role in the South Caucasus”; and Leading Advisor at the AIR Center Sultan Zahidov informed participants on “The Asian dimension in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy: prospects for cooperation within the frameworks of C6, CICA, and other formats.”

Following the sessions, numerous questions from the participants were answered.

A total of 19 media representatives participated in the training.

At the end of the event, certificates were presented to the participants.