U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines penned an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal explaining the historic potential of a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan and hisinvolvement in the matter. Excerpts from his piece are below.
A Peace Deal for Armenia and Azerbaijan
Senator Steve Daines
President Trump is on the cusp of bringing about a peace deal in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This would be a remarkable achievement—another step toward stability that advances regional and international peace as well as economic gains that extend far beyond the countries involved…
… This year, I traveled to both countries with members of Mr. Trump’s team. We explored the region’s economic potential and facilitated conversations on some of the peace talks’ more difficult issues.
I met with both Azerbaijani President Ilhan Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and we discussed practical solutions. Both leaders recognize the moment’s urgency and the profound opportunities before them…
…The Middle Corridor’s geography affords it unique strategic and economic importance. Situated between such U.S. adversaries as Iran and Russia, it is the only sliver of land where trade to the West can flow unhindered from Central Asia. The five countries that comprise Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan—collectively hold significant oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and other key resources….
…The Trump administration’s resolve has helped create a historic opportunity for these two nations. This pending agreement will alter the course of geopolitics in a way that benefits not only the South Caucasus and Central Asia but the U.S. and our allies for decades to come.
For the sake of peace and stability in the region and the world, Armenia and Azerbaijan’s leaders should finalize it without delay…
Read the full op-ed in The Wall Street Journal HERE.
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins