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Italian President Sergio Mattarella has praised the selection of the historic peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia as the recipient of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026, confirming Italy’s concrete and active support for the peace process between the two nations. The commendation was delivered during an official ceremony held in Abu Dhabi on February 8, 2026, according to a written statement read by Ambassador Lorenzo Fanara on behalf of the Italian president.
The recognition of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement took place during formal celebrations at the Zayed Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, attended by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The award also honored Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali and the Palestinian Ta’awon Foundation, according to official reports.
International Support for Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Process
President Mattarella emphasized that the perseverance and political commitment of both leaderships made it possible to establish the foundation for a new phase in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia after decades of bitter and sometimes bloody confrontation. He specifically acknowledged the determination and vision demonstrated by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia in their efforts to promote peace and reconciliation.
The Italian president noted that the international community has played a crucial role in supporting the peace process between the two nations. Additionally, he highlighted that the trilateral summit held at the White House in August represented the latest manifestation of this support, contributing to achieving historic steps forward in the peace agreement negotiations.
Italy’s Commitment to Regional Stability
According to President Mattarella’s statement, the recognition of the peace agreement through the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity provides additional testimony to the decisive contribution made by both parties in preparation for the future signing of a comprehensive peace treaty. He expressed hope that this achievement would serve as a gateway to tangible benefits for both countries and the entire South Caucasus region.
The Italian president emphasized that Italy, which always works to consolidate harmony, stability, and development in the region, continues to provide concrete and active support to achieve these goals. However, he acknowledged that the path toward full reconciliation remains challenging despite the significant progress made, describing it as a difficult but essential process after decades of suffering.
Promoting Human Fraternity Through the Zayed Award
Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, expressed appreciation for President Mattarella’s steadfast commitment to the values of peace, dialogue, and human dignity. Meanwhile, he praised Italy’s continued support for the award and initiatives that promote human fraternity at both regional and global levels.
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity aims to recognize individuals and organizations making significant contributions to peaceful coexistence and understanding among different cultures and religions. In contrast to traditional awards focusing solely on individual achievements, this recognition celebrates collective efforts toward building bridges between communities and nations.
The peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia represents a significant milestone in resolving one of the longest-standing conflicts in the post-Soviet space. Nevertheless, observers note that substantial work remains to transform the framework agreement into a comprehensive and lasting peace treaty that addresses all outstanding issues between the two neighboring countries.
The formal signing of a final peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is expected in the coming months, though authorities have not confirmed a specific timeline. The success of ongoing negotiations will depend on continued international support and the political will of both leaderships to overcome remaining obstacles.
