US President Donald Trump joined the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House on Friday to sign a historic peace agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict between the two South Caucasus nations.
The deal includes agreements to reopen key transportation routes, create a major transit corridor named the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” and allow the US to seize on Russia’s declining influence in the region. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said the transit corridor will “create connectivity opportunities for so many countries.”
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the agreement a “significant milestone” that marks a new beginning for the two nations, saying, “We are laying a foundation to write a better story than the one we had in the past.” Both leaders credited President Trump and his team with brokering the deal.
The agreement comes after nearly four decades of conflict over control of the Karabakh region. The US has been actively engaged in mediating talks between the two nations, which began earlier this year. Russia’s influence in the region has waned significantly since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
As part of the agreement, Azerbaijan will develop the Trump Route, which includes a rail line, oil and gas lines, and fiber optic lines. At least nine developers have expressed interest in participating. The deal also bolsters cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan on energy, technology, and economy issues.
The historic peace agreement is seen as a significant diplomatic victory for President Trump, who has long sought to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in brokering international conflicts.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-azerbaijan-armenia-white-house-peace-summit