Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) is in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to meet with President Ilham Aliyev and discuss the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and the United States.
What He's Doing There
According to Azertac, the Azerbaijan state news agency, Rep. Hamadeh was received by Aliyev and Foreign Affairs Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and they discussed the current state and prospects of Azerbaijan–U.S. bilateral relations, regional and international security issues, energy security, transport and communication links, as well as the post-conflict situation in the South Caucasus.
Part of the proposed normalization process would be to repeal Section 907 of the 1992 Freedom Support Act, which cut American foreign aid to Azerbaijan due to its role in the conflict between it and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory.
Rep. Hamadeh and the Azerbaijani government discussed the restoration and reconstruction of Nagorno-Karabakh after the 2023 occupation, as well as the development of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), which was part of President Donald Trump's August 2025 peace deal brokered between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The TRIPP is a 27-mile corridor through southern Armenia that connects Azerbaijan to its westernmost Nakhchivan exclave.
What Hamadeh is Saying
"The Congressman Hamadeh met with President @azpresident Ilham Aliyev at the Presidential Palace in Azerbaijan," the Arizona congressman posted on social media. "They discussed the historic Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement, made possible by President Trump's strong diplomacy, as well as key America First priorities: U.S. energy dominance, deeper strategic partnerships, and confronting regional adversaries."
Hamadeh also wrote, "Fresh off the legendary UFC Freedom 250 fight at the White House, they also expressed excitement for the upcoming UFC event in Baku and Azerbaijan's growing role on the world sporting stage. The Congressman is proud to strengthen ties that put American interests and power first."
Gus Bilirakis's Bill
In December, Florida Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced the Armenia Security Partnership Act, which aims to ensure the August peace agreement is honored by the Azerbaijanis by demanding their withdrawal from Armenian territory, releasing all prisoners taken in the most recent conflict, and allowing the Armenians displaced in 2023 to return home to Nagorno-Karabakh.
