Turkish or Russian participation in TRIPP not discussed by Armenia and U.S.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, they did not discuss Turkey or Russia’s involvement in the TRIPP project.

“TRIPP exists now just as it did before — as an Armenia–U.S. joint business venture. If we look at it in the broader context of regional unblocking, it is, of course, obvious that simply unblocking Armenia–Azerbaijan, opening the border, and restarting the railway will not provide this presumptive major Asia–EU new logistics route, and Armenia’s full unblocking will still not be complete. Talks with Turkey on this matter have been ongoing for a long time, and they have been quite constructive. I believe that in the near future, we will already see tangible steps. But, of course, our common understanding is that goods and people can come from Asia to Azerbaijan, then through Armenian territory, to Nakhchivan, again via Yeraskh to Armenia, and if Gyumri–Kars is not restarted, the goods cannot go through Turkey to Europe, or vice versa. Therefore, it is logical for Turkey to be part of this unblocking and regional development, but not specifically part of TRIPP,” FM Mirzoyan said at a press briefing after the TRIPP Implementation Framework was published.

Mirzoyan added that Russia will also not be part of TRIPP, but Armenia does not intend to sideline Russia through this step.

“Obviously, Russia has a presence in various infrastructures within Armenian territory, including the railways. In TRIPP itself — no, but other activities, connections, and cooperation related to TRIPP can also be established for the Russian Federation,” the minister noted.