President Aliyev hails Trump’s peace role, says Azerbaijan-US ties hit historic high

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has praised US President Donald Trump for his historic role in advancing peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia and said Azerbaijan-US relations have reached their highest point in the 34-year history of diplomatic ties.

In a letter addressed to Trump on the first anniversary of the Washington Summit, held at the White House on August 8, 2025, Aliyev said the meeting “laid the foundation for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia” and marked a turning point in efforts to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasusm Caliber.Az reports.

“One year ago, by assuming this historic responsibility, you brought about a turning point in the pursuit of lasting peace in the South Caucasus and the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Aliyev wrote.

The Azerbaijani president credited Trump’s “determination and steadfast resolve” with helping bring an end to a conflict that had lasted for three decades, saying the process had laid the foundation for “an era of reconciliation and mutually beneficial partnership” between the two peoples.

Aliyev highlighted the Trilateral Joint Declaration signed at the White House in Trump’s presence, the Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations initialed by Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the joint appeal on the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, describing them as decisive steps toward securing lasting peace and stability in the region.

He also pointed to the Trump administration’s peacebuilding efforts surrounding the TRIPP project, saying it has “tremendous potential” to advance multilateral economic cooperation, strengthen regional transport connectivity and contribute to peace and security in the South Caucasus.

“I once again express my profound gratitude for your strong leadership in advancing the peace agenda in our region,” Aliyev said.

According to Aliyev, Azerbaijani society is embracing the new regional reality and the peaceful environment that has emerged over the past year. He noted that important steps have already been taken to advance Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, including the lifting of restrictions on cargo transportation from Azerbaijan to Armenia.

Azerbaijani petroleum products, along with grain and other goods from third countries, are now being transported in transit through Azerbaijani territory for export to Armenia, Aliyev said, adding that the “tangible dividends of peace” are already becoming visible in economic, trade and other areas.

“We continue our efforts to consolidate these gains, translate peace into practical cooperation, and foster an atmosphere of mutual trust,” the president wrote.

Aliyev also described the August 2025 Washington meeting as a historic milestone in Azerbaijan-US relations, saying bilateral ties had subsequently entered “a qualitatively new stage of strategic partnership.”

He cited US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Azerbaijan six months later and the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter as further evidence of the rapid development of bilateral ties. The charter covers mutual investment, trade, energy, connectivity, transportation, artificial intelligence and security.

The Azerbaijani president said the high-level contacts and agreements reached over the past year demonstrate both the “remarkable progress” achieved in a short period and the importance Trump attaches to strengthening relations between the two countries.

Aliyev also welcomed Trump’s decision to extend the waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, calling it “an important step toward the restoration of historical justice.”

“We can proudly state that Azerbaijan–United States ties have now reached their highest point in the 34-year history of our diplomatic relations,” Aliyev said.

On behalf of himself and the Azerbaijani people, Aliyev expressed his “sincere gratitude” to Trump for what he described as a historic achievement and for his contribution to establishing and further strengthening the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States.

Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s determination to further expand and enrich its friendship, strategic partnership and relations with the United States, grounded in mutual trust, respect and support, and expressed his readiness to continue close cooperation with Trump in this direction.

Concluding the letter, Aliyev wished Trump robust health, happiness and continued success in carrying out “the honorable duties of the highest office,” while expressing his hopes for the peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of the United States.

By Jeyhun Aghazada