The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan said on February 4 that trade, transport links and people-to-people contacts were beginning to show tangible gains six months after they initialled a peace agreement, following fresh talks in Abu Dhabi.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in the United Arab Emirates to review progress made since the Washington Peace Summit hosted by US President Donald Trump last August.

In separate but very similar statements, the two sides said they welcomed advances in normalising relations, citing the resumption of bilateral trade, Azerbaijani exports of petroleum products to Armenia and the transit of grain and other goods to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory.

“They acknowledged that both societies are witnessing the real benefits of peace in their daily lives,” the Armenian statement said.

The two leaders agreed to explore ways to expand trade and economic cooperation, welcome reciprocal civil society visits and step up confidence-building measures. They also discussed implementation of the TRIPP infrastructure initiative and other regional connectivity projects.

Aliyev said the post-summit period had marked a turning point after decades of conflict.

“As I have said many times, we are learning to live in peace. I can tell you, it feels special,” he said. “We have never lived in peace since we gained independence, and we are learning it fast.”

He said the six months since the Washington summit had brought “partnership, cooperation, and progress toward a long-term, sustainable peace”.

Aliyev also thanked Trump for hosting the August 2025 summit, which led to the initialling of a peace agreement and a joint declaration.

“We not only removed restrictions on cargo transportation from the territory of Azerbaijan to Armenia, but also began exporting oil products to Armenia,” he said. “So, during these six months, we have started cooperation.”

Pashinyan, speaking in Abu Dhabi after the two leaders jointly received the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity 2026, said the ceremony symbolised a decisive break with the past.

“For the past almost 40 years, you would never have seen the words ‘peace,’ ‘Armenia,’ and ‘Azerbaijan’ together,” he said. “What happened in 2025 and is happening now is incredible.”

He added that the award was “a confirmation by Armenia and Azerbaijan that the page of the conflict is closed.”

Both sides said they would maintain regular contact to support the bilateral normalisation process.