Uzbekistan welcomes peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia – MFA

“We believe that yesterday’s signing of the historic Joint Declaration in Washington was made possible by the strong political will and determination of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the active peace-making efforts of the President of the United States,” the ministry’s statement reads.

The MFA stressed that it highly values the efforts of all parties aimed at resolving the decades-long conflict.

“We are confident that the earliest possible establishment of lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus will create a basis for implementing major transport and infrastructure projects for the benefit of all peoples in our broader region,” the ministry said.

On 8 August, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a declaration renouncing military confrontation between the countries, mediated by the United States.

“For more than 35 years, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a conflict that has caused immense suffering… many tried to find a solution… and they failed. With this agreement, we have finally managed to achieve peace,” said the US President.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought several wars since the late 1980s, when Nagorno-Karabakh – then a predominantly Armenian-populated region of Azerbaijan – broke away from Baku with Yerevan’s support.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan regained control over Nagorno-Karabakh, ending its de facto independence of almost three decades and prompting nearly all of its 100,000 ethnic Armenian residents to flee to Armenia.

Since then, while both sides have stated their intention to sign a treaty formally ending the conflict, negotiations have been slow and progress has been limited.

The two countries had no formal diplomatic relations, and their 1,000 km shared border remained closed and heavily militarized.