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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels that his administration’s Crossroads of Peace project has the potential to change the dynamics of not only the South Caucasus but the broader region.
He said that the project is becoming reality in the context of the newly established peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the positive dynamics in the normalization process with Türkiye.
“It is very symbolic, that during the first Global Gateway Forum, Armenia introduced our newborn initiative Crossroads of Peace with the vision to become an important hub for East-West and North-South connectivity. Being a land-locked country, we perfectly understand the benefits of an inclusive and equitable connectivity in all its forms, since the lack of connectivity has long been a major obstacle to Armenia’s development, economic growth and regional integration. I am happy to report that today, with peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and positive dynamics in Armenia-Türkiye normalization, our very idea of Crossroads of Peace is being realized, having full potential to change the whole dynamics not only in the South Caucasus, but also far beyond. During the Washington Peace Summit of August 8th , with the support of President Trump, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement, among others, on opening of the regional infrastructures based on the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, inviolability of borders, jurisdiction and reciprocity. In addition, Armenia and the U.S., together with mutually determined third parties, will implement the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity project, which will have a significant impact on enhancing connectivity in the region and beyond, fully in line with the vision of the Crossroads of Peace initiative,” PM Pashinyan said.
He described the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) route as a “promising investment project.”
“For the first time in the modern history our region is ready both politically and logistically to unlock its untapped potential and to be integrated into the wider unimpeded connectivity between Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia. The “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” also known as TRIPP route, is a promising investment project, that entails a plethora of opportunities for the cooperation from railroads to energy. The EU’s increased engagement in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, is therefore extremely timely and Armenia stands ready to bridge these regions, fostering not only infrastructural ties, but also digital, energy, and regulatory interoperability and institutional alignment with the European Union. The relations between Armenia and the European Union have never been closer. This growing partnership creates unique opportunities for anchoring Armenia more deeply and strategically into Europe's evolving connectivity vision, such as the Global Gateway, the Black Sea Strategy, the Middle Corridor, Trans-European Transport Network and more. Ladies and gentlemen, it was an honor to address you today and I sincerely hope that my words resonated with you and inspired to take bold decisions for peace, stability, resilience, and prosperity. I wish all of us a productive day ahead.”