Armenian begins implementing Zangezur corridor - Pashinyan

The Armenian government has effectively begun implementing the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) project, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Monday during a joint meeting of the parliamentary standing committees discussing the draft state budget for 2027.

“Before organizing the subsequent processes, the Government of Armenia will, on its own initiative, launch the process of commissioning the design of the railway, highway and power transmission lines under the TRIPP project, so that we do not lose time and can begin work on the project,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

According to him, as soon as the TRIPP Development Company is established, the Government of Armenia will simply transfer the work already completed to the company.

The PM stressed that the project would enable Armenia to overcome the blockade that has persisted for more than 30 years, both East-West and North-South.

"The unblocking of all these directions does not mean that all infrastructure will be part of the TRIPP project. The TRIPP project will include the Nrnadzor-Karchevan railway, as well as power transmission lines and a highway there. The issues of a gas pipeline and an oil pipeline are matters for discussion at a later stage,” Pashinyan said.

Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said that the next phase of border delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan could take place ahead of schedule in the area designated for the TRIPP.

"We have not yet reached an agreement on the timetable for the next phase of work, but I think we will do so soon. We will discuss it and come to an agreement,” Mher Grigoryan said.

According to him, some delimitation work related to TRIPP infrastructure will be carried out ahead of schedule. They want to launch design work on power transmission lines, a highway and a railway without waiting for TRIPP to be established.