Washington: On August 8, 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a Joint Declaration during a meeting in Washington. This declaration marks a pivotal shift in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, with the White House aligning its support with Baku's policy priorities in the South Caucasus. The seven-point document updates the U.S. stance on the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, reflecting the evolving dynamics in the region.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, President Ilham Aliyev has successfully navigated Azerbaijan through both conflict and peace processes with Armenia, achieving significant outcomes in altering Armenia's previous doctrines. The peace treaty initialed in the United States is the culmination of a lengthy process facilitated by U.S. mediation, reinforcing Washington's support for Azerbaijan's five foundational principles for peace, which were first proposed in 2022.
These principles emphasize mutual recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, alongside commitments to refrain from territorial claims and threats. They also include the delimitation of state borders, establishment of diplomatic relations, and opening of transport and communication links, setting the stage for new partnerships and alliances.
The agreement includes the development of the Zangezur Corridor, dubbed the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), a U.S.-led initiative to enhance regional connectivity. This route will provide Azerbaijan with direct land access to Nakhchivan and integrate into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, aligning with Azerbaijan's strategic priorities for infrastructure development.
The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the U.S. is further solidified by the waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, allowing for potential military-technical cooperation. The dissolution of the Minsk Process and related structures, alongside the peace treaty, marks a significant step toward reducing future conflicts in the region.
President Aliyev highlighted the historic opportunity presented by the strategic partnership with the United States, encompassing areas such as trade, energy, connectivity, and defense. The partnership is seen as a prestigious model of regional cooperation, with important developments including exchanges between President Aliyev and Donald Trump and the signing of the Charter on Strategic Partnership.
The establishment of the Board of Peace, an alternative to the United Nations, underscores the U.S.-led approach to conflict resolution and focuses on the TRIPP route. This initiative represents a response to calls for renewing international cooperation frameworks and highlights Azerbaijan's strengthened position in regional geopolitics.
The agreements and subsequent developments underscore the success of President Aliyev's peace and security efforts, positioning Azerbaijan as a key player in the evolving regional order. As economic and political pressures against Azerbaijan diminish, the nation's standing as a regional power is increasingly recognized.