Both U.S. and Armenia have approved a joint statement on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity implementation framework, known as TRIPP, following talks in Washington between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday.
U.S. officials say Washington plans to provide Yerevan with $145 million to help finance the project, in which the United States would hold a 74% stake in it.
Rubio described the project as a potential global model for promoting economic growth and prosperity in the region.
Within the framework, Armenia will involve private operators in implementing the TRIPP, also known as the Zangezur route, while the U.S. will provide technical support on customs and inspections, under the new agreement that preserves Armenia’s full sovereignty over border and customs controls.
The TRIPP is a 42 km long transit route between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhchivan in the south of Armenia.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a declaration in Washington on 8 August last year, which said that Armenia would work with the U.S. to created a framework for how the project will be managed. It'll consist of motorway, railway and oil and gas infrastructure facilities.
According to Tuesday's joint statement, border management will operate under the international “front office–back office” model, with Armenian authorities retaining control over all sovereign functions. Private operators will be limited to non-sovereign roles and will work under Armenian law.
Armenia plans to launch pilot projects aimed at streamlining pre-clearance customs procedures, digitising documentation and introducing a “single checkpoint” system to facilitate trade and transit.
Private companies contracted by the TRIPP Development Company will provide services such as collecting documentation for review, offering user information and consultations, and processing payments linked to trade and transit.
Armenian officials will maintain a physical presence at all border and customs facilities.
Any private personnel involved in operational security will be required to hold licences issued in Armenia, the statement said.
The initiative is designed to strengthen regional connectivity and trade across the South Caucasus, while keeping border control and customs authority firmly under Armenian state oversight.
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