**Armenia and Azerbaijan Sign Historic Peace Deal at White House Ceremony**
In a major breakthrough, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a joint declaration for peace and bilateral economic agreements with Washington on August 8. The ceremony was hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
The conflict between the two nations has lasted for over 35 years, resulting in immense suffering for both countries. With this accord, they have finally succeeded in making peace, according to Trump. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed the “peace roadmap” joint declaration alongside Trump.
The conflict centered on the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a disputed territory primarily populated by ethnic Armenians but internationally recognized as Azerbaijani land. Azerbaijan recaptured the territory from Armenian forces in 2023, leading to the exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from the region.
This peace deal marks a significant milestone in Armenian and Azerbaijani relations. The two leaders expressed their gratitude to Trump for his personal engagement and commitment to peace. As a result of this breakthrough, a transportation corridor will be created between the two countries, connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave located west of southern Armenia.
The U.S. will have leasing rights for private companies to develop the new transit corridor. The bilateral economic agreements signed by Trump with Pashinyan and Aliyev aim to promote cooperation in trade, transit, energy infrastructure, and technology between the two countries and the U.S.
**A New Era of Peace and Cooperation**
The joint declaration commits both countries to cease all fighting forever, open up commerce, travel, and diplomatic relations, and respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Trump hailed this breakthrough as a significant achievement in his mediation efforts in various conflicts.
Following the signing of the peace deal, Aliyev and Pashinyan are expected to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Trump has previously expressed that his mediation efforts deserve the prestigious award. This historic peace summit marks a new era of cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with far-reaching implications for regional stability and economic growth.
**Analysis**
The signing of this peace deal is a significant achievement, not only for the two countries but also for the region as a whole. The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has had devastating consequences for both nations, leading to significant human suffering and displacement.
This breakthrough highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving complex conflicts. Trump’s personal engagement and commitment to peace have played a crucial role in facilitating this agreement. The creation of a transportation corridor and the promotion of economic cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan will likely lead to increased trade and investment, benefiting both countries.
However, it is essential to note that the implementation of this deal will require sustained effort and dedication from all parties involved. The commitment to cease fighting and respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a crucial step towards lasting peace and stability in the region.
As Trump seeks to nominate himself for the Nobel Peace Prize, his critics may argue that his mediation efforts were not solely responsible for this breakthrough. Nevertheless, this historic agreement marks an important milestone in international diplomacy and cooperation.
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