Latest news with #Azerbaijan-ArmeniaPeaceAgreement
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Historic Joint Declaration Signals a New Era for Azerbaijan-Armenia Relations
On Friday, President Trump facilitated at the White House a historic meeting that concluded with the signing of the Joint Declaration, a historic agreement that is set to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the region after more than three decades. The landmark document signaled that the Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement is near completion, and announced the creation of a new regional corridor – the 'Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).' The parties initialed the text of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, confirming that they had agreed upon it. Although initialing is not the same as signing, it is nonetheless a significant step toward peace. It means that Azerbaijan and Armenia are now very close to achieving a final, sustainable peace. This Trump-brokered agreement holds significant potential to move beyond symbolism and become a genuine foundation for sustainable peace. Its strength lies in its ability to address the underlying political, economic, and connectivity issues that have fueled tensions for decades. Why this time is different Past efforts often focused narrowly on halting hostilities without addressing underlying political issues. This time, there is a stronger support by President Donald Trump on integrating peace with development and regional infrastructure, which makes it more comprehensive. The Joint Declaration signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia confirms that the two countries will jointly appeal to the OSCE Secretary General for the dissolution of the Minsk Group which was established in 90s to solve the conflict but played no role in both ending occupation and getting peace. At the same time, it recognizes the necessity of 'taking further steps to achieve the signing and ratification of the agreement' once the remaining term is done. In other words, Friday's meeting confirmed one of the main prerequisites for signing the final peace agreement – the necessity of amending the Armenian constitution. Azerbaijan–U.S. relations have generally developed in a positive and constructive manner, grounded in mutual respect and trust. Officially established on February 28, 1992, these ties – especially through the invaluable efforts of National Leader Heydar Aliyev – were built on shared interests, with energy cooperation serving as a cornerstone. More than 80 state-level agreements have been signed over the years, clearly reflecting the current high level of partnership between the two countries. The re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. President in 2024 gave a fresh impetus to bilateral relations. The two leaders exchanged phone calls and letters, with President Ilham Aliyev speaking favorably of Donald Trump in several speeches – particularly noting that no new wars began under his presidency and commending his commitment to family and traditional values. President Aliyev's significant diplomatic success Against this backdrop, President Ilham Aliyev's working visit to Washington, at President Trump's invitation, marked a turning point. The trip signaled not only a new phase in bilateral relations but also progress toward lasting peace in the South Caucasus and the creation of new investment opportunities for multiple countries. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to establish a Strategic Working Group for further development of the 'Charter on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America.' This agreement is pivotal for advancing cooperation in regional connectivity (energy, trade, transit), economic investment (including artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure), defense, arms sales, and counterterrorism. It also paves the way for increased U.S. technological and financial involvement in Azerbaijan. Additionally, the Trump administration signed a document suspending the application of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act – a congressional amendment from 1992 that unjustly restricted direct U.S. aid to Azerbaijan until it was repealed during Trump's presidency. And so, President Ilham Aliyev's Washington visit has been a significant diplomatic success. It has elevated Azerbaijan–U.S. relations to a strategic partnership while advancing the cause of peace, security, and stability in the region. Under President Aliyev's leadership, Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its international standing while ensuring sustainable national development. Tags: ArmeniaazerbaijanUnited States president Donald Trump
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Islamabad welcomes Baku-Yerevan deal
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shakes hands with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during their meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022. Photo: APP/ File Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the landmark peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, hailing the development as a historic turning point for the South Caucasus and a gateway to regional prosperity. The prime minister received a telephone call from President Aliyev in which the two leaders discussed the peace accord, bilateral relations, and regional connectivity prospects, his office said in an official handout. During the "warm and cordial" conversation, Shehbaz lauded Aliyev's "visionary role" in ending the decades-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, describing it as "a mutually beneficial end to one of the most intractable disputes in the region." He said the peace agreement would "usher in a new era of stability and economic opportunity for the Caucasus." The prime minister also commended the role of US President Donald Trump in facilitating the deal. Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought bitter wars over Nagorno-Karabakh — a mountainous Azerbaijani region — first in the early 1990s after the collapse of the former Soviet Union and again in 2020. Azerbaijan regained territory in a rapid 24-hour offensive in September 2023. This prompted fresh diplomatic efforts to secure lasting peace. The US-brokered accord aims to normalise ties between the two countries, paving the way for expanded trade, transport, and energy cooperation after decades of hostility. Aliyev expressed deep gratitude for Pakistan's "longstanding and consistent" support for Azerbaijan's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. "It has always been a duty for the people of Pakistan to extend their support to their Azerbaijani brothers and sisters," Shehbaz said. Aliyev emphasised that a stable South Caucasus could become a hub of connectivity linking Pakistan with Central Asia, offering new avenues for trade and cooperation. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the "positive trajectory" of bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment. Recalling their recent meetings in Lachin and Khankendi, Shehbaz reiterated his invitation for President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. The two leaders are also expected to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. In a post on X after the conversation, Shehbaz wrote: "I conveyed warm felicitations to him and the people of Azerbaijan on the historic Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement We also reviewed the trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed our commitment to continue with this positive momentum." He said Pakistan looked forward to continuing high-level engagements with Azerbaijan in the coming days. (WITH INPUTS FROM APP AND NEWS DESK)
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM congratulates Azerbaijan's Aliyev on peace deal with Armenia
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shakes hands with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during their meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022. Photo: APP/ File Listen to article President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan spoke with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday, expressing deep appreciation for Pakistan's steadfast support on the Karabakh issue, Radio Pakistan reported. The prime minister extended warm felicitations to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on their country's historic peace agreement with Armenia. He commended Aliyev's visionary leadership in resolving the three-decade-old conflict, calling it a pivotal step toward regional prosperity. Emphasising Pakistan's duty to assist its Azerbaijani brothers and sisters, the premier said: 'It is heartening that under President Aliyev's bold leadership and statesmanship, peace has finally been established. Pakistan stands firmly with Azerbaijan.' Spoke with my dear brother President ilham Aliyev @presidentaz this evening. Conveyed warm felicitations to him and the people of Azerbaijan on the historic Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement, reached in Washington DC. Lauded him for his vision and statesmanship, and deeply… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 10, 2025 PM Shehbaz also lauded US President Donald Trump's role in brokering the accord, noting his contributions to ending both the Karabakh and the recent Indo-Pak conflicts. President Aliyev, in turn, highlighted that the era of steady peace will enhance connectivity opportunities between Pakistan and Central Asia. Both leaders expressed contentment at the advancement of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed mutual goodwill. Recalling their recent interactions in Lachin and Khankendi, the prime minister reiterated his invitation for an official visit by President Aliyev to Pakistan. The two are expected to meet again in Tianjin during the upcoming SCO Summit. Read More: Azerbaijan, Armenia sign US-brokered peace deal On Friday, Azerbaijan and Armenia concluded a US‑brokered peace agreement—facilitated by President Trump—marking a major diplomatic milestone. The deal aims to normalise relations, increase economic integration, uphold territorial integrity, and includes US development rights to a strategic transit corridor through the South Caucasus. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at odds since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous Azerbaijani region mostly populated by ethnic Armenians, broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. Azerbaijan took back full control of the region in 2023, prompting almost all of the territory's 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia. Under the Soviet Union, Nagorno-Karabakh became an autonomous region within the republic of Azerbaijan, and it enjoyed de facto independence for decades after Soviet collapsed in 1991.
