BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 20. The first
meeting of the Board of Peace, held on February 19, 2026, in
Washington, D.C., became an event that went far beyond protocol
diplomacy. It marked the emergence of a new architecture of
international engagement based on the principles of responsibility,
mutual respect, and practical peacebuilding. In this process, the
role of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev,
assumed particular significance - a leader who understands the true
cost of peace and has demonstrated in practice a steadfast
commitment to the principles of peaceful coexistence.


For decades, the South Caucasus remained a zone of tension.
Azerbaijan endured a protracted conflict, human losses, and an
extremely complex negotiation process. It is precisely for this
reason that Baku’s position on peace is grounded not in abstract
declarations but in real historical experience. The initialing of
the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on August 8,
2025, in Washington confirmed President Ilham Aliyev’s consistent
course toward achieving a sustainable settlement.


In his letter, President Donald Trump formally invited
Azerbaijan to join the "Charter of the Board of Peace" as a
founding country: "As Chairman of the Board, I formally invite the
Republic of Azerbaijan to join as a Founding Member State, and
become a party to the Charter of The Board of Peace, as represented
by you." This invitation became a logical continuation of joint
initiatives aimed at achieving peace in the region.


In response, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the strategic
importance of Azerbaijan’s participation. "I accept this invitation
as a sign of mutually respectful and beneficial partnership between
the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America, and as
a recognition of Azerbaijan's role in the promotion of peace and
stability at the regional and global levels," the head of state
noted in his reply.


These letters set the tone for interaction between the leaders
during the first meeting of the Board of Peace. At the event,
Donald Trump underscored the historic significance of cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "I achieved peace between two very
important countries and I will never forget it. They are good
people, but they are tough. I think they have become friends. This
was a great thing that you and your new friend did. We worked out
for 24 hours, and it was a good piece," he said.


This assessment demonstrates that the successful resolution of a
regional conflict has become a practical example upon which the
work of the new international organization is being built.


In turn, U.S. Vice President JD Vance highlighted the importance
of leadership and partnership. "We're grateful for your
partnership, and in particular to the President of Azerbaijan, the
Prime Minister of Armenia, who I just saw last week, thank you all
for making it possible and for showing what real leadership can
accomplish. That's what the Board of Peace, I think, is
fundamentally about, is making the peace stick. And it's an
incredible thing that you guys have all done. So to all of the
leaders gathered here today who are investing in the future, who
are investing in peace, we're grateful to you," the Vice President
stated.


His remarks organically connect the experience of concluding the
conflict in the South Caucasus with the mission of the Board of
Peace - ensuring the durability of peace agreements.


On the sidelines of the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev also
held an informal conversation with the Prime Minister of Armenia,
Nikol Pashinyan. This once again demonstrates that Azerbaijan
remains open to dialogue. Baku’s practical experience is becoming
an example of how a post-conflict country can participate in
shaping the global architecture of peace.


Today, the conditions have been created for the final signing
and ratification of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. This path - from conflict to institutionalized peace -
lends particular significance to the country’s participation in the
Board of Peace. Azerbaijan is capable of offering the world not a
theoretical model, but a practice-tested approach that combines
political firmness with readiness for dialogue.


Azerbaijan’s participation in the first meeting of the member
states of the Board of Peace is a natural stage in its foreign
policy development. The role of President Ilham Aliyev demonstrates
that peace is not a tactical compromise, but a strategic objective
of state and regional development. Standing on the threshold of a
final peace agreement after 30 years of conflict, the country is
ready to share its experience and contribute to the formation of a
more sustainable and secure world order.