Historic Breakthrough in Washington: Azerbaijan and Armenia Take Decisive Step Toward Peace
Historic Breakthrough in Washington: Azerbaijan and Armenia Take Decisive Step Toward Peace
Berlin – August 9, 2025
During his official visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump on August 7 and 8, 2025, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev not only elevated bilateral relations with the U.S. to a new strategic level but also achieved a milestone in the peace process with Armenia.
At the White House, President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan – in the presence of President Donald Trump as witness – signed a Joint Declaration. At the same time, the foreign ministers of both countries initialed the draft agreement on the establishment of peaceful interstate relations – a step intended to close the chapter of decades-long tensions and confrontation. Together, Baku and Yerevan applied to the OSCE for the termination of the Minsk process – an unmistakable signal that this entirely useless relic of the past has now been definitively overcome.
A central element of the agreement is a binding roadmap for opening transport and communication routes between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhchivan. This also includes the U.S.-supported infrastructure initiative, the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” which is to ensure a direct and unimpeded connection through Armenian territory.
“What has happened here today will lead to a lasting, eternal peace in the Caucasus,” declared President Aliyev.
In addition to the peace agenda, the U.S. and Azerbaijan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic working group, which is to develop a Charter for Strategic Partnership within six months. The cooperation covers key areas such as energy, trade, digital infrastructure, defense, and counterterrorism. New economic momentum was also set: In the presence of President Aliyev and U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, SOCAR and ExxonMobil signed a cooperation memorandum to explore new energy potentials in Azerbaijan.
With the progress achieved in Washington, Azerbaijan has made a historic contribution to stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus – while at the same time laying the foundation for a long-term partnership with the United States.
