Wednesday, January 14 2026 12:24

ArmInfo.The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the Republic of Armenia and the United States.

Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and Secretary of State  Marco Rubio met today in Washington, D.C., to announce the release of  the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)  Implementation Framework. This document, published below, is the  latest step toward fulfilling the commitments made at the White House  on August 8, 2025, to  advance the cause of lasting peace in the  South Caucasus. 

The Framework outlines a concrete path to operationalize the TRIPP,  which is intended to establish unimpeded, multimodal transit  connectivity on the territory of Armenia. While connecting the main  part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and  creating a vital link in the Trans-Caspian Trade Route, the TRIPP is  expected to generate reciprocal benefits for international and  intra-state connectivity for the Republic of Armenia.

Reflecting the principles affirmed at the historic August 8, 2025,  Peace Summit hosted by President Trump, the TRIPP Implementation  Framework underscores the importance of sovereignty, territorial  integrity, and reciprocity to the overall success of the TRIPP.  The  ultimate objective of the TRIPP is to strengthen the prosperity and  security of Armenia and Azerbaijan  and further American commerce by  expanding regional trade and connectivity as well as create new  transit opportunities linking Central Asia and the Caspian to Europe.

  The TRIPP Implementation Framework (TIF)

This document outlines the implementation framework for the Trump  Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). This framework  does not impose, nor does it intend to impose, any legal commitments  or obligations on Armenia or the United States.

  OVERVIEW

On August 8th in Washington D.C., the President of the United States  witnessed the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of  Azerbaijan sign the Joint Declaration, which established a basis for  opening communications for intra-state, bilateral, and international  transportation. This TRIPP Implementation Framework (TIF) outlines in  further detail how the TRIPP will be established and furthers the  goals of the Joint Declaration.

The TRIPP is intended to establish unimpeded, multimodal transit  connectivity on the territory of Armenia, contributing to regional  peace, stability, and integration on the basis of respect for  sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of the states.  While connecting the main part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan  Autonomous Republic and creating a vital link in the Trans-Caspian  Trade Route, it is expected to generate reciprocal benefits for  international and intra-state connectivity for the Republic of  Armenia.  Through the TRIPP, the United States seeks to:

Build progress on the August 8th Joint Declaration towards a durable  peace 

Open communication, trade, and connectivity in the South Caucasus to  promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region

Enhance market access and critical supply chains in the Trans-Caspian  region

Provide an example of peace through prosperity to the rest of the  world

Through the TRIPP, Armenia seeks to:

Enhance Armenia's role as a regional transit and economic hub

Attract foreign investment in Armenian infrastructure

Build institutional capacity in modern border management and trade  facilitation

Generate sustainable revenue streams and off-take rights for Armenia

Strengthen strategic partnership with the United States

Facilitate regional integration and normalization

Extend Armenia's export potential to new markets

The TRIPP is expected to benefit the United States through:

Opening new markets for American investment, business, and goods

Connectivity for trade across the region to bring raw materials,  critical minerals, and rare earth metals to American markets

Increased trade route options between the United States and Europe  and Asia, ensuring that people and goods can travel regardless of  geopolitical changes 

The TRIPP is expected to benefit Armenia and the Armenian people  through:

Employment - opportunities to employ qualified Armenian citizens

Joint ventures - opportunities between international and Armenian  firms

Technology transfer - capacity building for Armenian businesses

Training - skills development for Armenian workforce

Reinvestment into the region

COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS

Armenia's Commitment

Armenia is committed to TRIPP's success as a strategic initiative  that serves its national interests. Armenia intends to take the  following steps:

Provide full cooperation and support to the TRIPP Development Company

Ensure efficient coordination across Armenian government agencies

Facilitate timely permits, approvals, and regulatory processes

Maintain open communication with U.S. partners

Work toward regional normalization to enable TRIPP's full potential

Develop differentiated processes for persons, vehicles, and goods,  including between the main part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan  Autonomous Republic in both directions, on the basis of all Armenian  laws, regulations, and international agreements and in line with  international standards.

Conditions for Success

Armenia and the United States recognize that the TRIPP's success  depends on:

Further institutionalization of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Progress towards Armenia-Turkiye full normalization

Sustained U.S. engagement

Regional cooperation and stability

Effective capacity building in Armenian institutions

Strategic Partnership

TRIPP represents a deepening of the strategic partnership between  Armenia and the United States. Armenia views this project as a  foundation for long-term cooperation on infrastructure, economic  development, and regional integration.

ESTABLISHING THE TRIPP DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

The TRIPP is to be developed within designated transit routes in  Armenian territory, in locations to be detailed in the future, while  maintaining Armenia's full sovereignty over all project areas within  Armenia's sovereign territory. The TRIPP Development Company, with  U.S. controlling stake and Armenian oversight of reserve matters, is  intended to ensure the development and implementation of the TRIPP  infrastructure.

Armenia intends to authorize and facilitate the establishment of the  TRIPP Development Company. The company is expected to be responsible  for the development of the TRIPP and is expected to be granted the  right to development for an initial term of 49 years. Armenia intends  to offer the United States a 74% share and to hold itself a 26% share  in the TRIPP Development Company. This arrangement is expected to be  extended for an additional term of 50 years with a grant of  additional equity to the government of Armenia bringing its share to  49%.

The change of the TRIPP Development Company's shareholders (including  sale, donation of the shares, merger, demerger, reorganization, or  any other legal or factual act) and ultimate beneficial owners is  expected to be subject to the prior consent of the Governments of  Armenia and the United States.

Armenia and the United States plan to work together on the corporate  structure of the TRIPP Development Company. The structure is expected  to reflect the following objectives: 1) Armenian and U.S.   governments' involvement in particular key decisions and issues  related to the operation of the multimodal transit route; and 2)  financial return to the U.S. for its initial contribution or other  economic benefits to the U.S. government or for U.S. companies.

Decisions that touch on certain sensitive issues covered by specified  reserve matters are expected to be resolved jointly through an  Armenia-U.S. Steering Committee.

The TRIPP Development Company is expected to directly implement any  TRIPP rail and road projects and is envisioned to have subsidiaries  or special purpose vehicles for other components of the TRIPP.

Armenia's stake in the TRIPP Development Company reflects its  contribution of the following:

Land use (development) rights within the transit routes

Existing infrastructure assets (subject to further discussions)

Regulatory facilitation and streamlined permitting

In-kind contributions related to border and customs infrastructure

Cash investments as determined appropriate

Each country intends to designate a senior government official as the  primary coordinator for TRIPP implementation, responsible for  inter-ministerial coordination and serving as the main point of  contact with the TRIPP Development Company. 

GRANT OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

Armenia intends to provide the TRIPP Development Company the  exclusive right to:

Plan, design, develop, construct, operate, and maintain multimodal  transit infrastructure within designated transit routes

Establish Special Purpose Vehicles for specific infrastructure  projects

Contract with construction firms, operators, and service providers

Generate and collect revenues from infrastructure operations

Manage the TRIPP route as part of an integrated system

Development rights may cover but not be limited to:

Rail infrastructure - railways, terminals, stations, rolling stock  facilities

Road infrastructure - highways, roads, bridges, tunnels

Energy infrastructure - electrical transmission, oil pipelines, gas  pipelines

Digital infrastructure - fiber optic networks

Supporting infrastructure - administrative facilities, utilities,  safety and security systems in accordance with Armenian law 

The TRIPP Development Company may collect and retain revenues from  various sources to include but not limited to:

Infrastructure access fees

Commercial activities within the transit route

Property rent and development

Service charges

Revenue shares from Special Purpose Vehicles

Armenia explicitly retains:

Legislative, regulatory, and judicial authority due to full  sovereignty and territorial integrity over all TRIPP areas within  Armenia's sovereign territory including the ability to enforce laws  and regulations in line with Armenia's domestic laws and  international agreements

Control over national security and law enforcement

Authority over border control and customs for trade and transit  through the TRIPP

Authority over taxes, customs duties, and other mandatory fees on  trade and transit

Right to access all areas within Armenia's sovereign territory

Authority to enforce all Armenian laws within the parts of the  transit route in Armenian sovereign territory

SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES (SPVs)

The TRIPP Development Company is expected to establish separate legal  structures for major infrastructure components in addition to  directly implementing any TRIPP rail and road components pending  additional study and analysis. Each structure is expected to have  governance, financing, and operational models suited to the specific  infrastructure type and strategic considerations. All SPVs are  expected to initially be founded by the TRIPP Development Company,  with the understanding that private sector investment opportunities  may be discussed in later stages on a case-by-case basis.

BORDER SECURITY AND CUSTOMS 

Fundamental Principles

Armenia's sovereignty and jurisdiction over border and customs  operations are absolute and non- negotiable. All border and customs  activities are expected to operate according to internationally  recognized standards for border management while upholding the  principles of the August 8th declaration using a front office-back  office operating model.

Integrated Border Management

Armenia intends to further develop and implement modern Integrated  Border Management (IBM) practices, which may be supported by U.S.  technical assistance, including:

Risk-based inspection and clearance procedures

Advanced screening technologies

Digital customs and border systems

Coordinated inter-agency processes

Professional capacity building for Armenian officers

Pilot Projects

Armenia intends to conduct pilot projects to optimize:

Customs preclearance procedures

Digitized documentation and processing

One-stop border post concepts

Technology-enabled risk assessment

Coordinated border management with neighboring countries

"Front Office - Back Office" Operating Model

To enhance efficiency while maintaining Armenia's sovereignty and  jurisdiction, TRIPP is expected to employ a "front office - back  office" model, using digital tools to facilitate unimpeded  connectivity.

Front Office (Third-Party Operators)

It is intended that private operators contracted by the TRIPP  Development Company will provide customer- facing services:

Initial document collection for verification

Information and guidance to users

Fee collection and payment processing on trade and transit. Taxes,  customs duties, and other mandatory fees of the Republic of Armenia  shall be remitted directly to the state budget of the Republic of  Armenia in accordance with the applicable legislation and fiscal  procedures

Facilitation and coordination

Administrative support

Back Office (Armenian State Authorities)

Armenian customs and border officials exercise all sovereign  authority - in line with Armenian domestic law and international  agreements.

Final customs decisions and clearances

Security screening and enforcement

Immigration control

Law enforcement actions

Permits and authorizations

Inspection and examination

Clear Lines of Authority

Front office operators facilitate; they do not decide

Armenian officials maintain a physical presence in all Armenian  border and customs facilities

No outsourcing of sovereign functions

Customs Procedures

Armenia will further develop and implement:

Risk-based selectivity - advanced cargo screening with focused  physical inspections,

Transit regime - efficient procedures for goods in transit with  appropriate sealing and tracking

Pre-arrival processing - electronic submission and processing of  documentation

Single window systems - integrated platforms for trade documentation

Harmonized procedures - alignment with international customs  standards Security Operations

Armenia retains full authority in Armenian sovereign territory

Infrastructure security plans must be approved by Armenian security  authorities

Armenian authorities have primacy in all emergency situations

Private operational security personnel may be employed subject to  Armenian licensing 

Data Systems and Sovereignty

Modern IT systems will be deployed for border and customs management

All government data systems remain under Armenian sovereign control

Data sharing with foreign authorities requires appropriate legal  frameworks

Cybersecurity standards will meet international best practices

Personal data processing complies with Armenian law

Training and Capacity Building

The United States intends to facilitate, subject to the availability  of appropriated funds, comprehensive training and capacity building  for Armenian border and customs personnel, including:

Modern customs techniques and procedure

Technology systems operation

Risk assessment and intelligence analysis

Professional integrity and ethics

International exchange programs