Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed the law ratifying the TRIPP framework agreement with the United States, concluding a legislative process that cleared both the constitutional court and parliament, segabg.com reported.
Lawmakers approve the Washington accord for TRIPP
Armenian lawmakers approved the agreement on October 28 with 63 votes in favor from the ruling Civil Contract faction and 32 votes against from the opposition. The framework for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, known as TRIPP, was formalized in Washington on August 8 by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the presence of Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially initialed the agreement on May 26 in Yerevan. The project establishes a 43-kilometer transport link across Armenian territory connecting mainland Azerbaijan to the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan. This route runs alongside the Iranian border.
Armenia retains sovereignty under split ownership model
The Zangezur corridor will operate under a split ownership model. Private operators will provide services to clients at border checkpoints while Armenia retains full sovereignty and jurisdiction over its borders and customs operations.
The United States will hold a 74% stake in the corridor, with Armenia holding the remaining 26%. The infrastructure project extends beyond a standard roadway to include a motorway, a new and modernized railway line, an electrical grid, oil and gas pipelines, and optical internet cables for telecommunications.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Baku expect construction to begin?
Baku expects real implementation of the TRIPP project to begin in 2027 following the presidential signature that brought the law into force.
Who signed the initial framework agreement in May?
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initialed the agreement on May 26 in Yerevan.
How many Armenian lawmakers voted against the ratification?
Thirty-two opposition deputies voted against the legislation, while 63 members of the ruling Civil Contract faction voted in favor.
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