Armenia defends Washington Declaration as step toward regional peace In response to former president’s criticism

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan has responded to former President Robert Kocharyan’s assertion that Armenia gained nothing from the Washington summit on August 8, 2025, describing the outcome as an opportunity for peace and regional stability.

As reported by Caliber.Az, citing Armenian media, Kostanyan said at a briefing on October 9:

"Armenia received an opportunity to create a peaceful and stable region and started this process. We have received an opportunity to unblock all communications, towards which discussions are being held with our American partners. We hope and are confident that the process will develop in a positive way. We assess the development after the Washington Declaration positively."

He added that work on the peace agreement with Azerbaijan is ongoing and affirmed Armenia’s readiness to sign and ratify the document.

The remarks follow the August 8 summit in Washington, hosted by US President Donald Trump, which brought together Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. During the summit, the leaders signed a joint declaration outlining a seven-point framework emphasising respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the renunciation of force.

Additionally, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan initialled a draft “Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations” in the presence of Trump, Aliyev, and Pashinyan, marking a significant step toward lasting regional stability.

A key element of the agreement is the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), also known as the Zangezur Corridor. This strategic transit link through Armenia’s Syunik province is designed to connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, facilitating economic growth and cooperation in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova