Armenia has said that the newly inaugurated "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) will remain a strictly bilateral initiative between Yerevan and Washington for the time being.
Speaking live from the U.S. capital following the signing of the implementation documents, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan clarified the boundaries of the ambitious infrastructure project.
While the agreement marks a significant deepening of economic ties between Armenia and the United States, Mirzoyan confirmed that neither Türkiye nor Russia were subjects of the negotiation process.
When pressed on Ankara’s potential role, Mirzoyan emphasised that TRIPP is fundamentally an Armenian-American business venture.
However, he offered a pragmatic assessment of the South Caucasus’s geography, noting that any large-scale "unblocking" of trade routes is logistically impossible without Turkish involvement.
"In the broader context... a major logistical transition will not be secured without the participation of the Turkish side," Mirzoyan stated.
He highlighted the strategic importance of the Gyumri-Kars railway — a connection currently dormant due to the closed border — as the only viable rail route for goods moving through Türkiye into Europe.
The Foreign Minister revealed that discussions with Ankara are currently constructive and expressed hope for results in the near future.
While Türkiye is not a signatory to TRIPP, Mirzoyan suggested it is "logical" for them to eventually become part of the wider communications network, perhaps as a continuation of the infrastructure established by the US-backed project.
Tensions with Russian Infrastructure
The exclusion of Russia from the talks highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape in the region. Mirzoyan stated that Russian participation was not discussed for the same reasons as Türkiye: the framework of TRIPP is specific to U.S.-Armenia cooperation.
However, the Minister assured that Yerevan does not intend to isolate Moscow entirely from regional transit schemes. "In the greater unblocking involving immediate or distant neighbours... we do not intend to leave the Russian Federation outside the framework," he said.
A critical point of contention remains the railway infrastructure itself. Armenia’s rail network is currently managed by the South Caucasus Railway (SCR), a subsidiary of Russian Railways (RZD).
Mirzoyan addressed the ultimatum previously voiced by the Armenian Prime Minister: if the Russian side is unwilling to restore missing rail sections at Yeraskh and Gyumri, the Armenian government is prepared to undertake the construction independently.
"The political and economic vision regarding infrastructure has been presented, and it is necessary that the missing sections are restored quickly," Mirzoyan explained. "This has been conveyed to the Russian side. If there is no reaction, there will be other scenarios."
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said. ...
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit....
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beiji...
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both...
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a...
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
Morocco held their nerve to beat the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic late equaliser, Gabriel Martinelli spared Brazil's blushes with a stoppage-time winner against Japan, while Paraguay stunned Germany in the tournament's biggest shock to reach the World Cup last 16.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that unexploded ordnance remains a deadly threat across Afghanistan, with children accounting for around 80% of victims and about 50 people being killed or injured each month.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed neighbouring Iraq will hold a funeral procession next week for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, as preparations intensify for week-long ceremonies after the 86-year-old was killed in Israeli–U.S. air raids in February.
CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov has inspected security along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border as the regional bloc continues a long-term programme to strengthen one of Central Asia's most strategically important frontiers.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment