Armenia, Azerbaijan Sign Landmark Peace Accord at White House

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In a major diplomatic development hosted at the White House on Friday, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a landmark peace agreement aimed at formally ending decades of bitter conflict, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing the creation of a special transit corridor named in his honor as a cornerstone of the accord.

The "Historic Peace Summit," held in the State Dining Room on Friday, brought together Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to sign a "momentous joint declaration." The event, based on a White House transcript, marked a significant U.S.-brokered effort to resolve one of the world's most protracted conflicts.

"It's a big, beautiful honor to welcome everyone to the White House for this very historic peace summit between Armenia and Azerbaijan," President Trump stated at the ceremony. "For more than 35 years, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a bitter conflict that resulted in tremendous suffering for both nations. They suffered gravely for so many years."

According to the U.S. President's remarks, the agreement contains several foundational commitments. "The country of Armenia and Azerbaijan are committing to stop all fighting forever, open up commerce, travel, and diplomatic relations, and respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, so importantly," he announced.

A central and novel component of the agreement is the establishment of a special transit area. "Very importantly, we have also resolved the key issue that foiled previous negotiations," Trump said. "This declaration establishes what they are calling a great honor for me. I didn't ask for this. The Trump route for international peace and prosperity, which is a special transit area that will allow Azerbaijan to get full access to its territory of Nakhchivan while fully respecting Armenia's sovereignty."

The United States will play a direct role in this corridor's development. President Trump announced that "Armenia is also creating an exclusive partnership with the United States to develop this corridor, which could extend for up to 99 years." He added, "we anticipate significant infrastructure development by American companies."

In his address, President Trump contrasted the success of the summit with previous efforts. "Many tried to find a resolution, including the European Union. The Russians worked very hard on it, never happened. Sleepy Joe Biden tried, but you know what happened there," he remarked. "But with this accord, we've finally succeeded in making peace."

The summit also resulted in significant bilateral policy shifts with the U.S. President Trump announced that the U.S. is "signing a bilateral agreement with both countries to expand cooperation and energy trade and technology, including A.I." Furthermore, in a major move, he stated, "We're also lifting restrictions on defense cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States of America."

Speaking at the ceremony, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude and emphasized the new relationship with Washington. "We are starting the path towards a strategic partnership," he said, noting a charter would be elaborated within months. He called the lifting of the 1992 restrictions on his country a historic event. "After 33 years, these restrictions have been lifted just today," President Aliyev stated. "We are today establishing peace in the Caucasus... President Trump brings peace to Caucasus, and we're grateful for that."

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan echoed these sentiments, crediting the U.S. president's role. "This breakthrough would simply not have been possible without President Trump's personal engagement and his resolute commitment to peace in our region," he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the transit corridor, stating he was "particularly thrilled that together with the U.S., Armenia will work to bring to life the Trump route for peace and prosperity connectivity project that will unlock the entire region." He concluded, "This is peace through strength in a nutshell."

The ceremony culminated with the formal signing of three English copies of the joint declaration, with President Trump signing as a witness to the commitments made by the two leaders. "Thirty-five years of death and hatred, and now it's going to be love and respect and success together," Trump concluded.