Hamadeh sees Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal before Trump term ends

The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process is moving faster than many had expected, U.S. Congressman Abraham Hamadeh said while discussing his visits to the region.

The congressman predicts that a final peace agreement could be signed well before the end of President Donald Trump’s current term in office, RFE/RL reports.

Hamadeh, an Arizona Republican who serves on the House Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs committees, has been actively engaged in Congress on issues concerning the South Caucasus.

He said some challenges remain, including prisoners whom Armenians want returned from Azerbaijan.

“Each side has its own perspective on all these issues. I think one factor that will help is not only relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also relations between Turkey and Armenia, whose importance, in my view, has been somewhat underestimated recently, and the opening of the border. Back in 2022, the two sides agreed to open the border, initially for holders of diplomatic passports. That has still not been implemented. We hope to see the border opened so that Armenia gains another trade route besides Russia, Georgia or Iran. Therefore, we need to ensure the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border.

“We also need to ensure that the TRIPP project between Azerbaijan and Armenia is successfully implemented. But, again, only one year has passed since all this began, and by historical standards that is a very short period. Everything is going well, the leaders of both countries enjoy strong popularity in their countries, and it is very important for them to have the support of their people,” he said in an interview.

Hamadeh described the proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project as far more than a purely economic initiative, arguing that it could bind Armenia and Azerbaijan more closely together politically and economically while opening the South Caucasus to Western trade and investment.