Baku-Yerevan accord game changer for Central Asia, says US lawmaker

The recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan carries significant geopolitical weight, particularly for the stability and strategic future of Central Asia, according to Senator Steve Daines, a Republican from Montana.

He made the statement during a hearing of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Caliber.Az reports, referencing domestic media.

According to Daines, adversaries of the United States are actively working to disrupt Washington’s growing engagement with Central Asian nations. He emphasised that the agreement, brokered with the involvement of former President Donald Trump, marks a pivotal moment for regional diplomacy.

“The groundbreaking peace agreement signed with the participation of President Trump between Azerbaijan and Armenia has significant geopolitical implications for Central Asia,” the senator noted.

Daines also highlighted a broader policy shift, stating that the U.S. is “turning the page from the previous administration” by pursuing meaningful investments and deeper cooperation in the region. He stressed that forging strong U.S.-Central Asia relations is essential for protecting American national security interests.

On August 8, a historic trilateral summit took place in Washington, bringing together Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and U.S. President Donald Trump. The leaders signed a joint declaration composed of seven key points and formally initialled a peace and interstate relations agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In parallel, President Aliyev and President Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Baku and Washington, paving the way for the establishment of a Strategic Working Group. This group is tasked with drafting a Charter of Strategic Partnership, marking a new chapter in U.S.-Azerbaijan relations.

Additionally, President Trump signed a directive to suspend the enforcement of the 907th Amendment to the Freedom Support Act — an amendment that had previously restricted U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan.

By Tamilla Hasanova