US official says Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal reset bilateral ties

The initialling of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, together with agreements on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, has enabled the United States to reset its bilateral relations with both countries, according to Aryeh Lightstone, senior adviser to the U.S. special envoy for peace missions.

In an interview with CivilNet, Lightstone said Washington viewed the agreements as an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with Baku and Yerevan.

"The US used this as a moment to restart or to re-energise our bilateral relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia," Lightstone said.

He noted that no armed incidents had been recorded between Azerbaijan and Armenia since the agreements were signed, adding that the two countries had instead begun cooperating on trade and economic development.

According to Lightstone, closer U.S. ties with both Azerbaijan and Armenia will help support a more durable peace in the South Caucasus.

He said greater regional prosperity would improve the prospects for lasting stability, which is reflected in the name of the TRIPP logistics initiative aimed at connecting Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Lightstone said the United States has already committed $201 million to the project, describing the funding as a starting point rather than a ceiling for future investment.

He added that the approach reflects a shift from previous U.S. administrations, with Washington seeking to build strategic partnerships with countries that can leverage their geographic location to promote economic development and regional cooperation.

By Sabina Mammadli