Tashkent supports US-mediated settlement in South Caucasus

Uzbekistan has welcomed the peace agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia, calling it an important outcome of the latest negotiations. The statement came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

The ministry noted that the result was achieved through the efforts of US President Donald Trump.

“We believe that the 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 peacemaking efforts of US President Donald Trump,” the statement read.

The Foreign Ministry also commended the contributions of all parties involved in resolving the long-standing conflict.

“We are confident that the earliest possible establishment of lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus will pave the way for major transport and infrastructure projects for the benefit of all peoples in our vast region,” it added.

The decades-long dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia stems from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Although Nagorno-Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan during the Soviet era, the majority of its population was Armenian. In the late 1980s, Armenian nationalists demanded its annexation to Armenia, sparking interethnic tensions.

Full-scale war erupted in 1991 and continued until the 1994 Bishkek ceasefire, mediated by Russia. As a result, Armenian forces occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. In 2020, Azerbaijan, with Turkey’s support, recaptured large territories, including the city of Shusha, in a 44-day war that ended with another Russian-brokered ceasefire. Armenia also returned three districts to Azerbaijan, but Karabakh remained unresolved.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan regained full control over Nagorno-Karabakh in a short “anti-terrorist operation,” prompting almost the entire Armenian population to leave the region. The latest tensions have been driven by unresolved border issues, deep mutual distrust, disagreements over the Zangezur corridor, and broader geopolitical factors.

It is worth noting that on August 8, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a US-brokered peace agreement in Washington, committing to end the war, open diplomatic relations, and respect each other’s territorial integrity. The agreement also outlines steps to strengthen bilateral economic ties after decades of hostility.