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Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to end decades-long hostilities after signing a historic peace accord in front of United States President Donald Trump.

 

The move came after the United States president intervened to dial down diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours, especially after they fought the Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020, which ended with Baku retaking full control of the occupied territory.

 

Both leaders signed the historic peace treaty in front of the United States president on Friday.

 

The deal, if it holds, would end four-decade-long tensions between the countries, which escalated after Armenian forces captured the internationally recognised Azerbaijani territory in 1991.

 

During their joint media interaction at the White House, President Aliyev said, “Today we are writing a great new history.” He also thanked Trump for bringing “peace” to the Caucasus region.

 

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan said the deal has certainly opened a new chapter for peace, calling it a success for the two nations.

 

He also praised Trump for his “legacy as a statesman and the peacemaker.”

 

The US president, who likes being called a dealmaker, said all three had an extensive conversation over the peace deal that would not only end the conflict but also ensure prosperity for the region.

 

He said, “It’s a long time, 35 years; they fought, and now they’re friends, and they’re going to be friends for a long time.”

 

Tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia started in the late 1980s when the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict broke out between the two sides, after the region, mostly populated by ethnic Armenians, broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia.

 

Azerbaijan reclaimed full control of the region in 2023 after launching a full-fledged military offensive.

 

After signing the peace accords, Azerbaijan and Armenia said Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Earlier on Thursday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that he had officially nominated US President Donald Trump.

 

Besides Cambodia, Israel and Pakistan have also nominated Trump for the prize.