The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia gathered at the White House on Friday to sign a landmark peace agreement, aiming to settle decades of conflict. This deal is expected to foster economic relations and improve connectivity between the two neighboring countries.
Historic Peace Agreement Signed Between Azerbaijan and Armenia at White House Summit
Historic Peace Agreement Signed Between Azerbaijan and Armenia at White House Summit
Leaders from both nations finalize a deal to end long-standing conflict, facilitated by President Trump.
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia came together at the White House on Friday to sign a peace agreement designed to put an end to decades of hostility and violence. Hosted by President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan exchanged handshakes, marking what Trump deemed a "historic" moment.
"This peace deal has been a long time coming," Trump remarked. The agreement is set to reopen critical transportation routes and bolster U.S. influence in the Caucasus region. The two nations have a tumultuous history, primarily rooted in the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region since the late 20th century, and have seen surges of violence in recent years.
"We are today establishing peace in the Caucasus," Aliyev stated, while highlighting the time lost to wars and conflict. Pashinyan described the signing as a "significant milestone" in fostering camaraderie between the two nations. Trump, meanwhile, noted that after years of fighting, the countries have now become friends, opening a path for a more peaceful future.
In a groundbreaking clause of the deal, the U.S. has committed to facilitating the construction of a major transit corridor named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. This corridor will bridge Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, which has long been a point of contention in negotiations. The leaders praised Trump's administration for enabling this critical agreement, with Aliyev asserting that a "miracle" had been achieved in just six months.
In addition to the peace agreement, bilateral accords to expand energy and technology trade between the nations were also signed. The summit not only represents a hope for reconciliation but signifies a shift in regional influence, traditionally held by Russia for over a century.
The involvement of the U.S. marks an important departure from previous negotiations primarily mediated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As both Armenia and Azerbaijan look toward a more stable future, this accord signals a new chapter in their fraught relations. With Trump's upcoming meeting with Putin next week, the dynamics of international diplomacy in the region will be closely observed.
