Pashinyan hails ‘historic’ Armenia–Azerbaijan peace in address to European Parliament

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has told the European Parliament that the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan marks a historic turning point for the South Caucasus, describing recent developments in the region as changes of “century-long, if not millennial significance.” Speaking in Strasbourg on Wednesday, Pashinyan said the most important development since his previous address to the parliament in October 2023 was the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

He referred to the joint declaration signed on 8 August 2025 in Washington, where he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a document effectively establishing peace between the two countries. The declaration was also signed as a witness by US President Donald Trump, who, Pashinyan said, played a key role in facilitating the agreement.

According to the Armenian prime minister, the declaration also addressed the long-standing and sensitive issue of reopening regional transport routes. The agreement envisages reopening communications between the two countries while respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity and jurisdiction.

Pashinyan said the proposed “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) project, currently under development in cooperation with the United States, could create new transport links across the region connecting east to west and north to south. He noted that the initiative stems from Armenia’s broader “Crossroads of Peace” project aimed at unlocking regional connectivity and expanding economic cooperation.

Pashinyan told lawmakers that the Armenia–Azerbaijan border has remained peaceful for eight months, adding that 2025 became the first calendar year since Armenia’s independence in 1991 without casualties caused by cross-border fire. Residents of border communities have not heard gunfire for months, he said.

The prime minister also pointed to the restoration of railway traffic through Azerbaijan, noting that in November 2025 a train reached Armenia via Azerbaijan and Georgia after Baku lifted restrictions on rail transport. He said Armenia is also ready to allow transit from Azerbaijan to Turkey through Armenian territory and has proposed a route linking western Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Armenia.

Despite the positive developments, Pashinyan said the regional situation remains overshadowed by instability in the Middle East, particularly in neighbouring Iran, which he described as a long-standing partner of Armenia. He called for diplomatic solutions to regional crises and expressed hope that international leaders would act with wisdom to end ongoing conflicts.

Pashinyan also highlighted Armenia’s European ambitions, noting that in March 2025 Armenia adopted a law launching the process of seeking membership in the European Union. He said Armenia must first meet EU standards through reforms before membership can be considered, acknowledging that EU enlargement is ultimately a political decision. The Armenian leader also stressed the importance of constructive relations between the EU and Georgia, which he described as a key route connecting Armenia to Europe.

Pashinyan reaffirmed his government’s commitment to democratic reforms following Armenia’s 2018 “Velvet Revolution,” arguing that peace is essential to making democracy irreversible. He said Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, which he described as another step toward consolidating democracy and stability in the country. Ending his address, Pashinyan declared: “Long live peace, long live democracy.”