Aliyev, Pashinyan mark peace summit anniversary in phone call

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke by telephone on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the Washington Peace Summit and the signing of the peace agreement text, noting significant progress in normalizing relations over the past twelve months.

US role in advancing normalization

The two leaders stressed the important role of US President Donald Trump and his administration in advancing the peace process, according to the Azerbaijani presidency. They highlighted that developing bilateral trade and economic ties represents a tangible benefit of the peace agreement, citing Azerbaijani oil product exports to Armenia and cargo transit through Azerbaijan to Armenia and onward to other destinations.

Economic cooperation and infrastructure

Aliyev and Pashinyan also discussed implementing the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) in line with agreements reached in Washington, emphasizing the importance of continuing efforts to advance the peace process. They underscored the need to promote lasting peace, stability, connectivity and economic cooperation throughout the South Caucasus region.

Background of conflict

The telephone conversation comes one year after the two South Caucasus neighbors signed a joint declaration at a trilateral summit at the White House alongside Trump on Aug. 8, 2025 — an accord aimed at ending decades of conflict over the Karabakh region. Both countries have fought a series of cross-border wars since the late 1980s, with Azerbaijan regaining full control of the territory in 2023 following a military operation.