Washington Declaration de-jure cements Azerbaijan’s victory
Baku, August 12, AZERTAC
The Joint Declaration signed by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on August 8, 2025, represents a major step in consolidating Azerbaijan’s regional leadership, said Abbas Panahov, political analyst.
According to him, the document reinforces Azerbaijan’s national interests in several key areas:
1. International Recognition of Azerbaijan’s Territorial Integrity
The declaration reaffirms Azerbaijan’s sovereignty based on the UN Charter and the 1991 Almaty Declaration, legally solidifying Baku’s full control over Karabakh, Lachin, Kalbajar, and other liberated territories.
Armenia explicitly renounces any territorial claims, recognizing Azerbaijan’s borders as inviolable.
The principle of "non-use of force for territorial acquisition" is enshrined, validating Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 war and subsequent peace agreements.
2. Opening of the Zangezur Corridor and Direct Access to Nakhchivan
The declaration guarantees unobstructed transport links between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, paving the way for the Zangezur Corridor through Armenian territory.
This corridor will connect Azerbaijan directly with Türkiye and the Turkic world, boosting Baku’s role in East-West transport routes (including the Middle Corridor).
The "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), backed by U.S. investment, will modernize infrastructure, further integrating Azerbaijan into global trade networks.
3. End of the OSCE Minsk Group – A Diplomatic Victory for Azerbaijan
The declaration formally terminates the OSCE Minsk Group, which had failed for 30 years to resolve the conflict.
This marks Azerbaijan’s complete diplomatic triumph, ensuring that future regional security frameworks will be shaped on Baku’s terms.
4. Strategic Partnership with the U.S. & Economic Opportunities
The U.S. upgrades relations with Azerbaijan to a "strategic partnership", unlocking new cooperation in energy, defense, and technology.
TRIPP investments will attract American businesses to Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, boosting economic growth.
Azerbaijan gains greater Western support in balancing regional influences, reducing dependence on any single power.
5. Armenia’s Acceptance of Azerbaijan’s Regional Leadership
By signing the declaration, Armenia acknowledges Azerbaijan’s dominance in the South Caucasus.
Yerevan is now compelled to participate in Azerbaijan-led connectivity projects, such as the Caspian-Black Sea transit routes and Middle Corridor initiatives.
Conclusion: The Declaration Cements Azerbaijan’s Victory
This document legally formalizes Azerbaijan’s post-war geopolitical reality:
- Full territorial integrity with no Armenian claims.
- Zangezur Corridor ensuring direct access to Nakhchivan and Türkiye.
- Elimination of the Minsk Group, ending decades of failed diplomacy.
- Stronger U.S. ties, boosting economic and security cooperation.
“Azerbaijan emerges as the undisputed leader of the South Caucasus, with Armenia forced to adapt to Baku’s vision for the region. The declaration is not just a peace agreement—it is a strategic blueprint for Azerbaijan’s future dominance,” the political analyst emphasized.
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