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Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) does not prevent it from developing trade and economic ties with neighboring countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan said, responding to an opposition MP’s question about the TRIPP project’s compliance with EAEU regulations.
Speaking at a parliamentary committee hearing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said he sees no contradiction between the TRIPP project and the EAEU’s current regulations.
Strong Armenia faction MP Syuzanna Avetisyan also asked what would happen to the project if the EAEU changed its regulations on the transit of goods from third countries in the future.
“As long as we are members of the EAEU, those regulations apply to us. But it seems that all EAEU members have trade and economic relations with their neighbors,” Mirzoyan said.
The minister stressed that he sees no contradiction between the existing regulations and suggested addressing the consequences of any potential changes if and when they occur.
Addressing the economic significance of opening transport links, Mirzoyan emphasized the opportunity for Armenia to access new markets and expand connectivity within the country.
“We want to go through Azerbaijan to Central Asia and China and bring cargo from there. We want to connect with Iran through Nakhchivan. Do we need this or not? If the answer to that question is yes, that’s it, the story ends here,” he said.
Responding to the observation that Azerbaijan stands to gain more from the project, the minister said Azerbaijan is also interested in connectivity through Armenia’s territory to Nakhchivan, Türkiye and other destinations. According to Mirzoyan, the government's priority is to ensure that opening transport links benefits Armenia.
The FM presented to MPs at the Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Relations a bill on ratifying the Framework Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America on Strategic Cooperation Concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).