Azerbaijan Lifts Cargo Transit Restrictions to Armenia Marking New Peace Era

Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia, signaling a significant warming of relations between the two countries after nearly four decades of conflict. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted a recent shipment of Kazakh grain as a practical demonstration of peace, with goods now passing through Georgia to facilitate regional trade. Armenian officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's spokesperson, praised the move as crucial for opening regional communications, strengthening mutual trust, and institutionalizing peace. This development follows a U.S.-brokered peace agreement and is expected to enhance the South Caucasus's role as a key transit corridor, potentially transforming the region's economic landscape. Both sides view this step as a milestone toward lasting peace and cooperation in the region, moving beyond conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The progress reflects a shift from longstanding hostilities to a focus on economic and diplomatic collaboration.