In 2007, the National Security Concept was adopted in Azerbaijan. Article 4.1.1 of the Concept states:
“The restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan: The territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan is unified, inviolable, and indivisible. Restoring its territorial integrity by using all means enshrined in international law is the most paramount task of the national security policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The occupation of territories and ethnic cleansing are contrary to universal human values and European values, as well as the principles and ideas of peace, democracy, stability, and regional cooperation. The efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict are not limited to achieving an interstate political agreement and, after achieving this agreement, will be directed towards establishing lasting, mutual peace and understanding between the two peoples. The Republic of Azerbaijan continues to advocate for the peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to eliminate the consequences of aggression against it and the occupation of a part of its territory. The legal and political foundations for the settlement of the conflict are based on UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884 adopted in 1993, as well as the norms and principles of international law reflected in the relevant documents and decisions of the OSCE and the Council of Europe. These documents have once again confirmed the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The conflict must be resolved on the basis of the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from all occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the restoration of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan in these territories, the return of forcibly displaced Azerbaijanis to their native lands, the development of a legal status ensuring the peaceful coexistence of Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and a high level of self-governance within the Republic of Azerbaijan through a legal and democratic process, the overall economic development of the country, the restoration of communications in this region within the framework of regional integration, and the creation of conditions for its socio-economic uplift. The Republic of Azerbaijan constantly keeps issues related to the violation of norms and principles of international law and illegal activities in its territories occupied by Armenia under constant attention. To investigate facts such as the destruction of historical and cultural heritage in regions where Azerbaijanis once lived and in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the alteration of the appearance of Azerbaijani settlements, and to give an appropriate assessment, the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue to take necessary measures using existing political and legal means. Illegal settlement and the exploitation and appropriation of natural resources in the occupied territories will be kept under special attention in this regard. Consistent measures must be implemented in directions such as coordinating the activities and efforts of state bodies and civil society at the international level and within the country regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed against Azerbaijanis during the aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan and the occupation of a part of its territory, comprehensively and deeply researching the "Armenian problem", uncovering the truth and bringing it to the attention of the international community, and undertaking complex work to ensure an international legal assessment of the conflict.”
As can be seen, most of what is stated in the concept has already been resolved. That is, now neither our lands are under occupation, nor is there a problem of internally displaced persons. Taking this and new challenges into account, the necessity for amendments to the National Security Concept is clearly evident.
Speaking to Modern.az regarding the topic, Aydın Mirzəzadə, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Defense, Security, and Anti-Corruption, stated that some provisions of the National Security Concept have already been fulfilled:
“The most important thing is that certain provisions of the concept have been fulfilled by the Azerbaijani state. When the National Security Concept was adopted in 2007, Azerbaijan faced very difficult problems. Changes occurring in the world inevitably pose new challenges for states. Our President recently voiced some of these challenges in his address to the meeting of the International Association of Judges held in Baku. The head of state touched upon issues such as artificial intelligence, economic transformation, and others.”
The MP noted that, from this perspective, amendments to the concept are entirely expected:
“The biggest problems have been resolved. Our lands have been liberated from occupation, and former internally displaced persons are returning to their ancestral lands. Therefore, amendments to the National Security Concept are expected in this regard. This is now a matter of time. In addition to removing the provisions we mentioned above from the concept, it is also expected that the issues raised by Mr. President will be reflected there.”
