Washington Breakthrough Heralds New Era for Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace

Brussels, 11 August 2025 – Significant progress has been made in the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan following a leaders' meeting in Washington, DC, on 8 August 2025. European Parliament officials have warmly welcomed the outcomes, which included the initialling of the text of the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations and a Joint Declaration outlining further steps towards lasting peace.

The Joint Statement, issued by key Members of the European Parliament, including MEP David McALLISTER, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and MEP Sergey LAGODINSKY, Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, commended the determination of both Armenian and Azerbaijani governments to end their decades-long conflict. The United States was praised for its significant contribution to this positive outcome, building on years of negotiations, including those facilitated by the EU.

Key Outcomes of the Washington Meeting:

• Initialling of Peace Agreement: The text of the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations was initialled by both parties. The swift signing and ratification of this treaty are deemed crucial next steps.

• Political Agreement on Communications: A major breakthrough was announced regarding the opening of communications between the two countries for intra-state, bilateral, and international transportation. This agreement is founded on the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of the states.

• Southern Armenia Route Development: Armenia has expressed its intention to collaborate with the United States and mutually determined third parties on the development and management of a transport route through southern Armenia. The US intends to provide investment for this project.

• Reciprocal Connectivity Benefits: The leaders agreed on the importance of reciprocal benefits for international and intra-state connectivity for the Republic of Armenia. Once implemented, this critical connectivity project is expected to unlock the immense potential of the South Caucasus to become a hub of trade and economic prosperity for the entire region.

Commitments to International Principles:

The leaders unequivocally committed to the Charter of the United Nations and the 1991 Almaty Declaration, as well as the principles of inviolability of international borders and inadmissibility of the use of force for the acquisition of territory. These commitments are expected to foster further progress in the border delimitation process and lead to the full withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the territory of the Republic of Armenia in the near future.

Outstanding Issues and Regional Cooperation:

Despite the significant advancements, the need to resolve outstanding issues, such as the situation of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan and displaced Karabakh Armenians, was also noted.

The constructive engagement of Türkiye is considered indispensable for the full realisation of this advancement. The joint statement encourages the Turkish government to support these positive developments by reciprocating Armenia's readiness to normalise relations and open the Armenian-Turkish border, which would benefit both countries and the wider region.

The EU remains actively engaged in supporting stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus and is ready to further contribute to the normalisation process. This process is particularly crucial in the context of Armenia's efforts at diversification of economic and security relations and its declared European aspirations, which the European Parliament fully supports.