After more than three and a half decades of diplomatic tensions and armed confrontations, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a historic peace agreement this Friday mediated by the United States, with the goal of ending decades of hostilities and fostering economic cooperation in the strategic Caucasus region.
The ceremony took place at the White House, with the presence of President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly announced that, in parallel, bilateral agreements were reached with both countries in areas such as energy, technology, border security, infrastructure, and trade.
Donald Trump, Ilham Aliyev y Nikol Pashinyan.
One of the central points of the pact is the granting to the United States of exclusive rights to develop a key transit corridor in the region, officially named the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP). This corridor will expedite the export of energy and goods, generating opportunities for investors and already attracting the interest of at least three American companies.
The understanding constitutes the first formal resolution of a frozen conflict in Russia's orbit since the fall of the Soviet Union, and is seen by American officials as an important geopolitical triumph for the West against the influence of powers such as Russia, China, and Iran.
On his Truth Social network, Trump celebrated the pact, stating that it is a direct result of his diplomatic efforts and describing it as a "historic day for Armenia, Azerbaijan, the United States, and the entire world."
Ilham Aliyev y Nikol Pashinyan.
"These two nations have been at war for many years, resulting in thousands of deaths. Many leaders have tried to end the war, unsuccessfully, until now, thanks to 'TRUMP'," the American president emphasized.
Before the signing of the agreement, the leaders held individual meetings with the White House special envoy for the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, in order to finalize the details and strengthen bilateral cooperation. Among the understandings reached is an energy agreement between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan and American company ExxonMobil.
The announcement comes in a context in which Trump reinforced his role as an international mediator, adding this achievement to other recent peace agreements, such as those reached between India and Pakistan, and between Thailand and Cambodia.
