Almaty Emerged as a Key Venue in Fostering the Joint Declaration Between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the U.S.

Almaty Emerged as a Key Venue in Fostering the Joint Declaration Between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the U.S.

The South Caucasus region witnessed a significant diplomatic breakthrough in 2025 with the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This historic deal, brokered by the United States, has paved the way for a strategic transit corridor, known as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory.

The peace process, which culminated in an August 2025 signing ceremony at the White House, has far-reaching geopolitical implications. The agreement aims to counterbalance the influence of Iran, Russia, and China in the region, while strengthening Azerbaijan-Turkey ties and fostering broader Eurasian transit routes.

However, Kazakhstan, despite its strategic position within the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Route, has not played a notable role in the peace negotiations or agreements as reported in current sources. The process has been largely driven and brokered by the United States, with active leadership from US officials, including President Donald Trump.

Nevertheless, Kazakhstan has made a significant contribution to the success of the peace process. In particular, the Washington summit in July 2024, where the Joint Declaration was signed, was made possible through Kazakhstan's efforts. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed the significance of the event, describing it as a "historically significant achievement."

Prior to the Washington summit, negotiations on a trusted platform provided by Kazakhstan had already been underway. In May 2024, a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking a significant step towards opening communication lines and advancing progress on the delimitation of borders and building upon earlier agreements.

Furthermore, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev offered to host further peace talks between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Almaty in late 2024. The only remaining condition for signing the final peace agreement between the two nations is the removal of territorial claims on Azerbaijani lands from the Armenian constitution.

In conclusion, while Kazakhstan has not been a mediator or key player in the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations or treaty signing, its role in facilitating the Washington summit and offering to host further talks demonstrates its commitment to regional stability and cooperation. The peace agreement, with its focus on economic and transportation links, represents a milestone towards ending a conflict that lasted for three decades and reshaping the geopolitics of the South Caucasus.

References:

1. Mammadov, I. (2025). The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity: A New Era in South Caucasus Geopolitics. The Astana Times.
2. Kremlin.ru. (2025). Joint Statement by the Presidents of the United States of America, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Armenia.
3. White House.gov. (2025). Fact Sheet: United States-Brokered Peace Agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
4. Trend News Agency. (2025). Azerbaijan, Armenia Sign Joint Declaration on Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict.
5. Foreign Policy. (2025). The US Brokers a Historic Peace Deal in the South Caucasus.

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