Armenian Economy Minister signals ‘practical phase’ of Trump Route after meeting U.S. official
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Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan met in Yerevan with Brendan Hanrahan, the U.S. State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
Papoyan’s deputy, Anushik Avetyan, and the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Kristina Kvien, also attended the meeting.
“The prospects of expanding Armenia-U.S. economic cooperation and increasing trade turnover were discussed. The development of bilateral relations in several key areas—such as trade and investment, agriculture and food safety, energy, high technologies and innovation, IT, the digital economy, and tourism—were also discussed,” the ministry said in a readout.
“The importance of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries was emphasized. Both parties expressed their readiness to continue joint efforts toward strengthening economic ties, improving the investment environment, and promoting new initiatives. Speaking about the TRIPP connectivity project and infrastructures, the minister highlighted Armenia’s strong interest in the initiative and proposed developing these projects through a public-private partnership (PPP) format, ensuring the involvement of private investments. He also proposed initiating the development of a roadmap for the project's implementation.
Views were exchanged on the Crossroads of Peace project. In this context, it was emphasized that the Crossroads of Peace is not only an economic initiative, but also one aimed at strengthening regional peace and stability, contributing to enhanced regional cooperation and reduced tensions. The minister also noted that Armenia greatly values American experience and support in the modernization of infrastructure and border security.”
Following the meeting, Papoyan released a video on social media, announcing that TRIPP—the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity—has entered the practical implementation phase.
“The American side stated that the United States will soon provide Armenia with $145 million in assistance for the implementation of the first phase, with further support to follow,” Papoyan said.
The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity is a connectivity project in Armenia envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration signed in Washington, D.C.