Washington D.C. – In a landmark diplomatic breakthrough, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a comprehensive peace agreement Friday at the White House, formally ending decades of conflict between the two Caucasus nations.
Key Details of the Agreement:
- Conflict Resolution: Settles territorial disputes including the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region
- U.S. Mediation: Brokered by American diplomats after months of negotiations
- Security Guarantees: Includes provisions for border demarcation and prisoner exchanges
Political Reactions:
Prime Minister Pashinyan hailed the “historic” accord, stating: “Today we transform decades of hostility into a future of peaceful coexistence.” The Armenian leader acknowledged the difficult compromises made, particularly regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, which Azerbaijan regained militarily in 2023.
Azerbaijani President Aliyev surprised observers by endorsing former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his administration’s early conflict mediation efforts.
Geopolitical Shifts:
The deal marks a significant recalibration in regional alliances:
- Russia’s Diminished Role: Traditional power broker Moscow, which maintains military bases in Armenia, was notably absent from negotiations
- Western Engagement: Reflects Armenia’s strategic pivot toward Europe and the U.S. amid fraying ties with Moscow
- Diaspora Tensions: The agreement has sparked controversy among global Armenian communities
Domestic Challenges:
Pashinyan faces mounting political headwinds:
- Ecclesiastical Opposition: The influential Armenian Apostolic Church continues to reject territorial concessions
- Public Protests: Nationalist factions condemn the prime minister’s “capitulation”
- Security Concerns: Questions remain about protection for remaining ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan
Historical Context:
The neighbors have fought two major wars since the 1990s over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory. The 2023 Azerbaijani offensive triggered a mass exodus of over 100,000 Armenians from the region.
Next Steps:
Implementation committees will convene next month to address:
- Border security arrangements
- Transport corridor development
- Cultural heritage preservation
As celebrations erupted in Baku and somber reflections continued in Yerevan, international observers cautioned that lasting peace will require careful monitoring and continued diplomatic engagement.