Achievement of Peace Agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia - as noted by Toqaev - is of historical significance
Peace Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia: A Historic Milestone
A significant step towards peace in the South Caucasus was taken in August 2025, as Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a joint peace declaration, marking the end of a nearly four-decade-long conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. The agreement, brokered by US President Donald Trump, includes the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), a 99-year U.S.-controlled transit corridor through the Zangezur region of southern Armenia, linking Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave and Turkey [1][2][3].
The agreement is anticipated to have a profound impact on the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the wider region. Geopolitically, the corridor's U.S. control significantly diminishes Russian and Iranian influence in the South Caucasus, as it bypasses Iranian and Russian territory. This development has generated opposition from Iran, citing security concerns [1][2][3][5].
The agreement strengthens Turkey’s regional role, aligning with U.S. and Azerbaijani interests, while marking a decline in Russia's long-standing dominant position as a mediator and influence in the zone, especially after Russia’s reduced engagement due to the Ukraine conflict [1][2]. However, concerns about Armenian sovereignty and the omission of crucial humanitarian elements, such as the return rights of displaced Armenians and protection of cultural heritage in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), remain unresolved [4].
The United States is poised to gain a potentially long-term strategic foothold in a critical energy and transport hub linking Europe and Asia, underpinning its regional influence for nearly a century [2][3].
Kazakhstan played a role in facilitating the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with Kazakhstan offering Almaty as the venue for the ministerial talks. The city of Almaty was instrumental in hosting these talks, which were an essential part of the process leading to the agreement [4]. Kazakhstan's President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, considers the agreement a historic achievement and believes it demonstrates a broader regional commitment to peace [4].
The agreement opened the way for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and cooperation between the two countries is expected to develop on a solid peace basis [4]. This achievement highlights the potential for regional cooperation in resolving conflicts and serves as a beacon of hope for lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 10). Azerbaijan and Armenia agree peace deal over Nagorno-Karabakh. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58252777
[2] The Washington Post. (2025, August 10). Azerbaijan and Armenia reach historic peace deal brokered by U.S. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/10/azerbaijan-armenia-reach-historic-peace-deal-brokered-us/
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 10). Azerbaijan and Armenia agree to end conflict with U.S.-brokered peace deal. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/azerbaijan-armenia-agree-end-conflict-us-brokered-peace-deal-2025-08-10/
[4] Akorda. (2025, August 10). Akorda Statement on the Peace Agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. [online] Available at: https://akorda.kz/en/news/akorda-statement-on-the-peace-agreement-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia
[5] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 11). Iran slams U.S.-brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/iran-slams-us-brokered-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-deal
The signing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia has sparked discussions in the realm of policy-and-legislation, as geopolitical implications and regional politics are being reevaluated. In particular, the establishment of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) has led to debates on the general-news front, with concerns about Armenian sovereignty, humanitarian elements, and potential impact on Russia's influence still under debate.
