A historic peace agreement to be signed at the White House – Ahmad Shahidov speaks to CGTN Türk from Washington DC | Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights

Interview

07 August 2025

A historic peace agreement to be signed at the White House – Ahmad Shahidov speaks to CGTN Türk from Washington DC

On Friday, August 8, at the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump, a high-level meeting will take place at the White House in Washington between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This meeting is seen as a logical continuation of the recently accelerated diplomatic process and is considered one of the most significant steps toward resolving the long-standing conflict in the South Caucasus through political means.

According to diplomatic sources, the parties had previously reached important understandings in Abu Dhabi under the mediation of the United Arab Emirates. The main purpose of the trilateral meeting at the White House will be to formalize those preliminary agreements, sign the final peace accord, and approve a roadmap for the complete end of the conflict.

Washington’s commitment to this initiative goes beyond regional stability. The Trump administration views the meeting as a strengthening of the United States’ role as an international mediator and as a personal diplomatic achievement for the President. White House officials believe that the agreement will open up new economic and political opportunities not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia but also for the entire South Caucasus.

Political commentator Ahmad Shahidov, currently in Washington, told CGTN Türk that the White House meeting represents a historic opportunity for the region and that concrete results are expected:
“This time, the process may not remain limited to official statements. Donald Trump is conducting this initiative not as a routine diplomatic mission, but with his personal political will. His goal is not only to establish peace between the two countries but also to strengthen the United States’ global role as a mediator. This will both enhance Washington’s prestige and lay the foundation for long-term stability in the region,” he said.

Ahmad Shahidov also emphasized that the issues on the agenda go beyond the peace agreement itself. Topics include opportunities for economic cooperation, the opening of borders, the revival of transportation and energy corridors, and the restoration of humanitarian ties:
“If a final agreement is reached at this meeting, it will not only mark the end of the conflict. It will also represent the beginning of an entirely new era of economic integration for regional countries, the opening of new trade routes, and the free movement of people,” he added.

The political commentator further noted that diplomatic circles in Washington are looking at the meeting’s outcome with great optimism and are providing the highest level of support to ensure the success of the process.