Azernews.Az

President Ilham Aliyev has delivered a terse response to the critics of his government’s foreign policy, saying there is no public discontent with Azerbaijan’s political course, which meets interests of the country’s citizens.

"There are no differences of opinion in Azerbaijan regarding its foreign policy," President Aliyev said in a meeting with residents of the Ujar region on Monday. "Only some people who call themselves experts sometimes express opinions about both our domestic and foreign policies. Sometimes, these opinions are critical and suggest that Azerbaijan’s balanced policy is an erroneous one. [They say] Azerbaijan should draw closer to some force, should get under someone’s wing."

According to the president, Azerbaijan’s gaining a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council once again negated the critics’ wrong views.

Azerbaijan was elected a non-permanent UN SC member in 2012-2013 with 155 votes at recent elections.

"This vote showed that Azerbaijan’s policy is the only right policy," Aliyev said. "It is not a balanced policy. I would like to reiterate that this is an independent policy. As an independent country, we respect ourselves, we respect our people and state. We base our policy only on the interests of the Azerbaijani people. We have established equitable relations with all countries -- regardless of their size and power…Azerbaijan is known in the world as a reliable partner and dignified country. Therefore, I am confident that from now onward, there will be no differences [among the public] on our foreign policy."

The president said Azerbaijan will advocate for just causes during its membership in the UN SC.

"We will defend the principles we are committed to at the U.N. Security Council, the world’s supreme body. Above all, we will defend justice."

Aliyev added that Azerbaijan will arduously support the norms of international law at the UN SC, adding that his country backs the solution of outstanding issues in line with these norms.