Armenia signed framework agreement on TRIPP

Armenia signed a framework agreement that could serve as the basis for launching work on the "Trump Route" after the necessary domestic procedures and ratification of the document.

As Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reported, the document already bears the signature of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Before your eyes, I signed the framework agreement. It was initialed during the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He has already affixed his signature to the document. Thus, the agreement is ready for ratification," Mirzoyan stated during a live broadcast on social media.

The minister did not specify the possible timelines for ratification of the document or the specific stages of project implementation after the agreement enters into force.

It is noted that on May 26, during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's short visit to Yerevan, Armenia and the United States initialed a framework agreement on strategic partnership within the TRIPP project ("Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity") and the Charter of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The TRIPP project (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity — "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity") envisages the creation of a strategic transit corridor through Armenia's Syunik region. It is emphasized that it will operate exclusively within Armenian jurisdiction and does not affect the country's sovereignty. Under the project, Armenia will grant the United States exclusive long-term rights for up to 99 years to develop the route through which Azerbaijan expects to establish a land connection with Nakhchivan. It provides for the creation of a company with a controlling US stake while Armenia retains mechanisms of control over fundamental issues. At the first stage, the United States is offered a 74% share and Armenia 26%, with the possibility of increasing Armenia's share to 49% upon extension of the agreement.