Azerbaijan.US
The Zayed Human Fraternity Prize has been jointly awarded to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, recognizing their role in advancing the peace process between the two countries.
Speaking at the award ceremony in Abu Dhabi, President Aliyev said receiving the prize was a great honor and described the moment as historically significant.
“This is a very special feeling. Since gaining independence, we have never lived in peace,” Aliyev said. “I would like to thank U.S. President Donald Trump for organizing the Washington summit. On August 8, 2025, a trilateral meeting was held that concluded with the initialing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
Aliyev recalled that the two countries had remained in a state of conflict for more than three decades.
“For the past six months, we have been living in conditions of peace,” he noted.
The Azerbaijani president also подчеркнул the symbolic nature of holding the ceremony in Abu Dhabi, pointing out that the final round of negotiations between Baku and Yerevan took place there in June last year.
According to Aliyev, the period following the Washington summit has seen tangible progress.
“We have not only lifted restrictions on transport and transit from Azerbaijan to Armenia, but have also expanded cooperation in other areas. We have begun working together, are increasing trade ties, and are discussing with our Armenian counterparts how to move forward,” he said.
Pashinyan: What Is Happening Today Would Have Been Unthinkable
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the progress achieved between Armenia and Azerbaijan as “truly unbelievable.”
“For nearly forty years, it was impossible to imagine the words ‘peace,’ ‘Armenia,’ and ‘Azerbaijan’ appearing together,” he said. “Even hearing them side by side would have seemed absurd. That is why what is happening today, in 2025, is genuinely extraordinary.”
According to Pashinyan, the ceremony represents more than a celebration of peace.
“It is confirmation that both Armenia and Azerbaijan are leaving the chapter of conflict behind,” he stated.
The Armenian prime minister expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for his personal involvement in the peace process, as well as to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for supporting dialogue between the two sides.
“President Trump’s personal engagement and commitment to the ideals of peace were decisive factors in reaching this agreement,” Pashinyan said.
Aliyev: The UAE as a Model of State Transformation
In his remarks, President Aliyev also highlighted the symbolic importance of the prize itself, which bears the name of the UAE’s founding father.
“This award carries the name of Sheikh Zayed, a great leader whose vision transformed the UAE into one of the most stable and successful countries in the world,” Aliyev said. “My dear brother, Sheikh Mohammed, is достойно continuing his father’s path.”
Aliyev added that the United Arab Emirates today serves as a model for many nations, demonstrating how a country can modernize and develop while remaining connected to its historical roots and looking confidently toward the future.
