Peace Negotiations Between Armenia and Azerbaijan, 2024–2026
The shift toward interstate normalization
Following Azerbaijan's restoration of control over Nagorno-Karabakh, diplomacy increasingly focused on relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan as sovereign states.
Major questions included border delimitation, territorial recognition, transportation links, security arrangements, and the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The future of Nagorno-Karabakh's displaced Armenian population remained an important humanitarian and legal issue, but it was no longer at the center of every official negotiation.
Border delimitation in 2024
In April 2024, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached arrangements concerning the delimitation of sections of their international border.
The process included the transfer of control over several border areas to Azerbaijan.
The decisions generated protests in Armenia, particularly among residents concerned about local security and access.
Supporters of delimitation argued that mutually recognized borders could reduce the risk of future conflict.
Critics feared that Armenia was making concessions without obtaining sufficient security guarantees.
The August 2025 Washington declaration
On August 8, 2025, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders participated in a Washington summit hosted by the United States.
The parties announced a joint declaration, and their foreign ministers initialed the text of an agreement on peace and interstate relations.
The distinction between initialing and ratifying a treaty is important.
Initialing indicates agreement on a negotiated text. It does not necessarily mean the agreement has entered into legal force.
The Washington process also addressed regional connectivity, including a proposed transit arrangement linking mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenian territory.
The proposal became associated with the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, or TRIPP.
Armenia emphasized that any transit arrangements must respect its sovereignty and jurisdiction.
Azerbaijan emphasized the importance of reliable transportation access to Nakhchivan.
Azerbaijan MFA
The situation in 2026
As of November 2026, the peace process had advanced considerably from the immediate postwar crisis.
However, the conclusion of a fully implemented and durable settlement remained subject to outstanding political and legal issues.
Disagreements included constitutional questions, border arrangements, transit procedures, and the future security architecture of the region.
The initialed peace agreement did not, by itself, resolve the individual rights of Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Their claims concerning return, property, cultural heritage, and accountability remained separate and significant questions.
The Council on Foreign Relations' September 2026 assessment described improving interstate relations while identifying unresolved obstacles to full normalization.
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