Pashinyan highlights “irreversible” peace, stresses TRIPP for EU–Central Asia connectivity

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during his official visit to Poland, visited the Polish Institute of International Affairs, a Warsaw-based think tank, where he met with foreign ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives of think tanks in Poland.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, Nikol Pashinyan delivered a speech addressing the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"The Prime Minister emphasized that the architecture of peace is based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration and that the peace process reached its peak on August 8 with the signing of the joint declaration on the framework for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, adopted in Washington at the initiative and with the participation of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the Prime Minister, without the participation, personal involvement, and initiative of the U.S. President, the peace process would have remained uncertain. He noted that the initiative and participation of the U.S. President played a very important role in establishing peace in the region," the Prime Minister's Office said in a press release. 

“Now it is very important to emphasize that 2025 was the first year since our independence when there were no border casualties due to gunfire between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops. There is now real peace in our region,” Nikol Pashinyan stated, adding that peace is under construction and must be carefully maintained. “That is the main idea I am trying to convey to our people: we now have peace, but it must be strengthened and institutionalized. We need to make continuous efforts, because peace exists, but it cannot be neglected; otherwise, it may be destroyed,” the Prime Minister said, according to the readout. 

The Prime Minister also spoke about other important stages in establishing peace in the region, including the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, held at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Council Charles Michel on October 6, 2022, within the framework of the first summit of the European Political Community. According to Nikol Pashinyan, at that meeting Armenia and Azerbaijan decided to recognize each other's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence based on the Alma-Ata Declaration.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also addressed the work being carried out to implement the agreements reached. He spoke about the strategic investment program, the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), and the unblocking of regional communications. “It is very important to explain what the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity is. As I mentioned, it is an investment project on the territory of Armenia. It will include a railway passing through Armenia, connecting east and west, including the main part of Azerbaijan with the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, and reopening Armenia’s railway connection to the south. It will also create new opportunities for the European Union. As you know, due to the current geopolitical situation, the world is facing a supply chain crisis, and the Trump Route — a key component of the Armenian Government’s ‘Crossroads of Peace’ project — will create a new transport and supply route from east to west, linking the European Union and Central Asia,” Nikol Pashinyan noted.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also touched upon Armenia–Türkiye relations, emphasizing that in recent years there has been an active dialogue with Türkiye.

“Of course, we are also grateful to our neighbors. It is important to note that Georgia and Iran have consistently supported this peace process,” Nikol Pashinyan stated, adding that all states in the region are already feeling the benefits of peace and expressing confidence that the process will reconcile the entire region.

Summing up his speech, the Prime Minister stated: “We all consider the South Caucasus our home, and we must take care of it. I believe this process has begun, and to be honest, it is my impression and conviction that this peace and this constructive process are irreversible.”

The Prime Minister then answered questions from foreign ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives of think tanks in Poland.