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In a climate of growing instability across the globe, Morocco and Azerbaijan have taken deliberate steps to reinforce their partnership.
During a visit by Moroccan journalists to Baku, Azerbaijani Presidential Advisor and Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, reaffirmed his country’s steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Hajiyev also described the two countries as bound by mutual respect, shared values, and historical parallels.
A partnership rooted in principle
Speaking to the visiting Moroccan media delegation, which Morocco World News (MWN) was part of, Hajiyev described Morocco as a “brotherly country” and commended the strength of bilateral ties. “We have excellent relations across all sectors. The only issue is the geographic distance,” he said.
For Azerbaijan, he added, Islamic solidarity and cooperation with Arab countries remain core pillars of foreign policy. “We share many similarities with Morocco,” he noted, describing the North African country as a key partner in both the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Hajiyev recalled the early roots of the diplomatic relationship, pointing to a historic meeting between Azerbaijan’s former leader, Heydar Aliyev, and Morocco’s King Hassan II during a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Casablanca.
“That visit laid the foundation of our ties, not only with Morocco but also with the Arab and Muslim world,” he said.
A shared struggle for recognized sovereignty
In response to a direct question about Azerbaijan’s stance on Western Sahara, Hajiyev offered a firm response: “We have always supported Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
He drew a connection between Morocco’s position in the Western Sahara and Azerbaijan’s own experience with Armenia.
“When we gained independence, Armenia occupied 20% of our territory, including Karabakh,” he said. “We trusted international law, waited for thirty years, and upheld the UN resolutions. But in the end, we had to act to restore our sovereignty.”
After retaking full control of Karabakh in 2023, Azerbaijan, Hajiyev explained, gained clarity on what it means to have sovereignty denied. “Because we suffered the consequences of occupation, we place enormous value on the territorial integrity of other states. Our position on Morocco’s territorial integrity is not diplomatic courtesy, it is a question of principle.”
Building on cultural affinity
The Moroccan delegation’s visit to the National Museum of Literature in Baku included a special exhibition on Azerbaijani journalism, which provided a window into the country’s intellectual history. But for Hajiyev, the cultural bond goes far beyond exhibitions.
He described a visit by a Moroccan royal who was surprised by the resemblance between traditional Moroccan and Azerbaijani designs. “He noticed that our ornaments and patterns mirror Moroccan motifs,” Hajiyev said. “It showed that our cultures have long been in quiet conversation, even without knowing it.”
He also pointed to Morocco’s hosting of ISESCO, the Islamic world’s educational and cultural institution, as a symbol of its standing. “Morocco is one of the cultural centers of the Muslim world, and we give that special importance,” he said.
Azerbaijan, he added, plans to promote further exchanges in heritage, language, and the arts. “We must make the cultures of both countries better known to each other,” he said. “Your cuisine, your clothing, your traditions are already familiar here. We want to take this further.”
Religious tolerance, intercultural dialogue
Hajiyev emphasized the value of tolerance that the two countries share.“In Morocco, Christians, Jews, and Muslims live together in peace. We see the same reality in Azerbaijan,” he said.
This, he argued, gives both countries the credibility to speak globally on matters of coexistence. “There’s not only a need for dialogue between civilizations. There’s a need for dialogue within them. The divisions in the Muslim world today are growing,” he said. “Together, we can help change that.”
Economic and tourism potential
While acknowledging the solid foundation of political cooperation, Hajiyev described economic ties between the two countries as underdeveloped. “There’s great potential for growth in trade, investment, and tourism,” he said. “Morocco is known internationally as a tourism hub. Azerbaijanis are increasingly drawn to it.”
He noted a rising interest in Azerbaijan among Moroccan citizens, reflected in online conversations and social media engagement. “But awareness is still low,” he admitted. “That’s why visits like yours are essential. You help inform people about what’s possible.”
Hajiyev recounted his visit to Morocco over a decade ago. “Friends tell me the country has changed a lot since then. I look forward to seeing that with my own eyes,” he said.
Regional stability amid global turbulence
Despite the current international turmoil, from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to tensions between Iran and Israel, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan remains a zone of stability.
“The conflict with Armenia is over. We control our territory, and we live in peace thanks to the wisdom of our leaders,” he said. “We understand instability. It’s all around us. But we also believe in sovereignty, in diplomacy, and cooperation.”
This belief, he concluded, drives Azerbaijan’s position on Western Sahara, and why it stands as a beacon of support for Rabat’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. “We know what it means to have your land taken. That’s why we defend Morocco’s right to its territory, clearly, without hesitation, and condition.”
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