US, Azerbaijan, Armenia celebrate year of peace-building JOINT STATEMENT

The United States, Armenia and Azerbaijan have marked the first anniversary of the White House peace summit between U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, highlighting progress toward lasting peace and greater regional cooperation.

“One year ago, President Trump hosted a historic White House summit with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia where President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan signed the Joint Declaration for peace,” the three countries said in a joint statement shared by Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, Caliber.Az reports.

The statement reminded that the draft "Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan" was witnessed by the three leaders and initialled by the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers.

“On this first anniversary, there is deep pride in what our countries have achieved together and great resolve to build upon the foundation that ended decades of conflict and put the South Caucasus on a path towards a more prosperous future,” the statement said.

It was also noted that in recognition of these historic and tremendous efforts to secure peace, President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan jointly nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The joint statement said the Joint Declaration provided a concrete roadmap for Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the support of the United States, to strengthen peace, achieve prosperity and deepen their partnership.

“In the year since these courageous leaders gathered, the countries have laid the groundwork for continued success,” the statement said.

It highlighted the following developments:

Armenia and Azerbaijan maintained stability along their shared border, while the two sides have taken concrete steps to normalise relations, delimit borders and build confidence through measures considered essential to lasting stability.

The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a multimodal transit route, is moving from vision to reality. The United States and Armenia have agreed to form the TRIPP Development Company to lead infrastructure development, while engineering surveys are already underway in Armenia. Azerbaijan has nearly completed a highway and railroad on its territory to connect to TRIPP in Armenia. The three countries also support the construction of an electricity transmission line through TRIPP.

The United States granted $201 million to the Trans-Caspian Enterprise Fund to help bring private-sector investment to the Trans-Caspian Trade Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

The United States has deepened ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, signing charters outlining new bilateral strategic partnerships, as well as memoranda of understanding on energy security, border infrastructure and security, artificial intelligence and semiconductor innovation, and critical minerals. The statement described these as investments in the long-term prosperity of all three nations that have already produced tangible results.

Azerbaijan has unilaterally lifted all transit restrictions with respect to Armenia.

“Following the spirit of the White House peace summit, Azerbaijan has unilaterally lifted all transit restrictions with respect to Armenia,” the statement said. “Within one year, close to 60,000 tons of goods have been transported to and from Armenia through Azerbaijan.” Azerbaijan also supplied 20,000 tons of oil products to Armenia. The two countries continue to work to increase bilateral trade.

Telecom operators in Armenia and Azerbaijan signed an internet agreement aimed at diversifying regional connectivity routes, enhancing reliability and resilience in the South Caucasus, and supporting infrastructure development in Eurasian telecommunications networks.

The OSCE Minsk Group and related structures were dissolved at the joint request of Armenia and Azerbaijan, which the three countries described as recognition that “the era of unresolved conflict is over.”

Armenia and Azerbaijan joined the Board of Peace at the invitation of the United States, “demonstrating that they stand side by side with the United States in efforts to create a more peaceful and prosperous world.”

“The United States, Armenia, and Azerbaijan reaffirm their unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of both Armenia and Azerbaijan within their internationally recognized borders,” the statement said.

“The three states remain committed to the full implementation of the August 8 Joint Declaration, in both letter and spirit, as well as unlocking the extraordinary economic potential of the region.”

The statement also said the United States remains committed to the full implementation of the bilateral charters and memoranda of understanding signed with Armenia and Azerbaijan and to strengthening its bilateral relationships with both countries.

“True peace is never achieved in just one day, but as President Trump says – Promises Made, Promises Kept. Azerbaijan and Armenia’s steps toward a lasting peace are a model for the world – and we look forward to the region’s bright and prosperous future,” the three countries said.

By Sabina Mammadli