A New chapter in U.S.-Azerbaijan relations - COMMENTARY
Baku, August 11, AZERTAC
President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the United States at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump has been widely analyzed in both local and international media. Following Trump’s re-election, a positive dynamic has been observed in Azerbaijan-U.S. relations. Bilateral ties, which had been strained during the Biden administration, are now being revitalized based on mutual trust and political dialogue. President Ilham Aliyev’s visit is seen not only as a step toward expanding Azerbaijan-U.S. relations but also as another success in strengthening Azerbaijan’s position in the international information arena and its diplomatic achievements. The visit further reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s growing influence and recognition as a reliable partner in the international relations system. The outcomes of the discussions in Washington and the signed documents shed light not only on bilateral relations but also on prospects for stability and cooperation in the region. The meeting at the White House between President Ilham Aliyev, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held significant historical importance for Azerbaijan, the region, and the world, marking a crucial step toward ensuring lasting peace in the region, according to Malik Hasanov, a member of the Milli Majlis.
“The Joint Declaration signed by President Ilham Aliyev, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasizes the importance of opening communications to ensure domestic, bilateral, and international transport, based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of states, to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond. These efforts include unhindered connectivity between the main part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as mutual benefits for international and domestic connectivity for the Republic of Armenia,” the deputy noted.
Commenting on the joint press statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, President Ilham Aliyev, and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the White House, Hasanov said: “Our head of state declared that today marks a new chapter in Azerbaijan-U.S. bilateral and interstate relations. We are embarking on a path of strategic partnership, and a Strategic Partnership Charter will be developed in the coming months. This is a historic achievement for Azerbaijan. Establishing strategic partnership relations with the world’s most powerful country is both an opportunity and a responsibility. President Aliyev also expressed confidence that Azerbaijan and Armenia will find the courage and responsibility to achieve peace, enabling our peoples to reconcile. We will turn the page on confrontation and bloodshed, ensuring a bright and secure future for our children.”
President Ilham Aliyev and President Donald Trump also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Azerbaijan and the United States to establish a Strategic Working Group to develop the Strategic Partnership Charter. President Aliyev specifically noted that the end of 33 years of sanctions was made possible thanks to President Trump.
Hasanov emphasized that by examining the chronology of steps taken during President Aliyev’s visit to the U.S., one can clearly see Azerbaijan’s and President Aliyev’s prestige and influence, which fills everyone with pride: “Among the signed documents, the Memorandum of Cooperation between SOCAR and ExxonMobil, signed in the presence of President Aliyev and U.S. President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, deserves special mention. Within the framework of strategic partnership, Azerbaijan and the U.S. will cooperate in numerous areas, from energy, transport, and trade to artificial intelligence and defense sales. The initialing of the draft ‘Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia’ and the signing of the Joint Declaration on the outcomes of the trilateral meeting are highly significant steps toward ensuring lasting and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus. Despite Armenia’s attempts to delay the process for nearly five years and its promotion of the utopian ‘Crossroads of Peace’ project, Azerbaijan has achieved one of its greatest goals—the opening of the Zangezur Corridor. Azerbaijan has secured the unhindered access it has consistently demanded from the outset.”
The deputy noted that a new chapter has opened in U.S.-Azerbaijan relations: “The new Caucasus reality shaped under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership is internationally appreciated. His Washington visit and the cooperation with ExxonMobil are seen as crucial steps toward transforming Azerbaijan from an energy supplier into a regional power center. This will significantly contribute to the region’s development, stability, and international integration.”
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