Historic Peace Treaty Initialled Between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Signalling Major Regional Shifts

Washington D.C., 11 August 2025 – In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Azerbaijan and Armenia initialled a comprehensive peace treaty in Washington D.C. on 8 August 2025, witnessed by US President Donald Trump. This pivotal event, dubbed a "historic summit," saw the foreign ministers of both nations, Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan and Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia, affix their signatures to the "Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia". The Washington Declaration, signed by the three leaders, also outlined key agreements, including the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group and the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP).

Key Provisions of the Peace Agreement The newly initialled peace agreement comprises 17 articles and aims to establish long-term and sustainable peace between the two countries. Its core tenets are guided by international law, including the UN Charter, the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, and the 1991 Almaty Declaration.

Key provisions include:

Mutual Recognition of Sovereignty and Borders: Both parties confirm that the administrative boundaries of the former USSR republics have become international borders recognised by the international community. They mutually recognise and respect each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of international borders, and political independence.

No Territorial Claims: Azerbaijan and Armenia affirm they have no, and will not raise any, territorial claims against each other. They also pledge to refrain from any actions aiming to dismember or impair the other party's territorial integrity or political unity.

Renunciation of Force: The agreement stipulates that neither party will use or threaten to use force against the other's territorial integrity or political independence. They will not permit any third party to use their territories for military actions against the other.

Non-interference in Internal Affairs: Both sides commit to refraining from interfering in each other's internal affairs.

Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic relations are to be established after the agreement's ratification, in line with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.

Border Delimitation and Demarcation: Parties will conduct negotiations to delimit and demarcate their state border, establishing border commissions for this purpose.

Security Measures: No third-party military forces are to be deployed along their mutual border. Until delimitation and demarcation are complete, mutually agreed security and confidence-building measures, including in the military field, will be implemented.

Combating Destructive Ideologies: Both countries condemn and will combat intolerance, racial hatred, discrimination, separatism, violent extremism, and terrorism within their jurisdictions.

Cooperation on Missing Persons: Measures will be taken to address cases of missing persons and enforced disappearances from the armed conflict, including information exchange and searching for remains.

Bilateral Cooperation: Separate agreements may be concluded for cooperation in economic, transit, transport, environmental, humanitarian, and cultural spheres.

Supremacy of International Law: Neither party can invoke domestic legislation to justify non-compliance with the agreement.

Implementation Oversight: A bilateral commission will be established to oversee the agreement's implementation.

Dispute Resolution: Disputes regarding interpretation or application will be settled through direct consultations, and if unresolved within six months, other peaceful means will be sought.

Withdrawal of Claims: All existing interstate claims, complaints, protests, objections, and disputes are to be withdrawn or settled within one month of the agreement's entry into force.

Entry into Force: The agreement enters into force after the exchange of notifications confirming the completion of internal procedures and will be registered with the UN.

Authentic Texts: The agreement is concluded in Azerbaijani, Armenian, and English, with the English text prevailing in case of divergence.

The "Trump Route" (TRIPP) and Regional Connectivity A significant component of the Washington Declaration is the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), a planned transit corridor aimed at connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory. The declaration states that Armenia will work with the United States and other mutually agreed third parties to define the framework for its implementation on Armenian territory.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan clarified that the operation of this infrastructure will occur within the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of the countries involved, ensuring mutual benefit. He specifically stressed that the Washington declaration does not envisage any third-party control over the road, countering claims that Armenia had agreed to grant Azerbaijan an extraterritorial corridor. The US intends to be the main investor in the Trump Route, and Armenia is open to working with other partners. US President Trump has signed an order to establish a working group for the TRIPP programme's implementation.

A key benefit for Armenia is that this agreement grants it access to and use of Azerbaijan's railway infrastructure for international trade. The US also expressed support for Armenia's "Crossroads of Peace" regional reopening project, highlighting Armenia's role as a regional transport hub and the need to ensure its infrastructure and border security, potentially with private investor participation.

Dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group As part of the agreements, Baku and Yerevan have sent a joint statement and a proposed draft decision to OSCE member states for the termination of the OSCE Minsk Process and its associated structures, including the OSCE Chairman's Personal Representative and the High-Level Planning Group. The OSCE welcomed the signing of this declaration. The Minsk Group, established in 1992 to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict with co-chairs from the US, Russia, and France, had been actively mediating until 2020.

International and Domestic Reactions Reactions to the Washington agreements have been mixed across the region and beyond:

Russia: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan informed Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Washington meeting outcomes. Putin emphasised the importance of steps contributing to lasting peace and reaffirmed Russia's readiness to assist in the normalisation of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, including unblocking transport communications in line with previous trilateral agreements.

Iran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeşkian stated that the "Trump Route" agreement meets Iran's demands regarding the protection of territorial integrity, connection with Europe, and non-severance from the north. However, Iran's primary concern remains the involvement of an Armenian and an American company in building the road. Ali Akbar Vilayati, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, warned that Iran would prevent the construction of an "American corridor" in the Caucasus, viewing it as a threat to regional security that could alter its geopolitical map, fragment Armenia, and restrict Iran's regional access. Despite this, the Iranian Foreign Ministry welcomed the peace agreement as a significant step towards lasting peace but expressed concern over the negative consequences of any foreign interference near its borders.

Turkey: Pashinyan also held a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, informing him about the Washington results and discussing the Armenia-Turkey bilateral agenda. Pashinyan noted a "more favourable" environment for implementing earlier agreements.

Armenian Opposition: The agreements received a "frosty reception" from the Armenian opposition, with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) calling the outcome a "blow to Armenia's sovereignty" and accusing the ruling administration of serving foreign interests. Concerns were raised that the TRIPP initiative endangers Armenia's strategic autonomy by placing vital infrastructure under foreign influence.

Armenian Ruling Party: Conversely, Armenia's ruling party and its allies praised the deal, stating that US involvement would deter any future attempts to open the Syunik corridor by force, effectively preventing another war and opening opportunities for economic development.

Independent Azerbaijani Journalism: From prison, Azerbaijani journalist Fatima Movlamli, detained as part of the Meydan TV case, welcomed any steps towards peace but critically questioned the Azerbaijani government's commitment to "peace with its own citizens." She highlighted the jailing of independent journalists and what she perceives as a lack of press freedom and accountability.

While the initialling of the peace treaty marks a significant step, full ratification is still pending. The Washington agreements represent a complex geopolitical development, reshaping regional dynamics and opening new avenues for cooperation, while simultaneously sparking concerns and criticisms from various stakeholders.