Armenia, the US and Azerbaijan launch two technical groups for TRIPP

Armenia, the United States and Azerbaijan have launched the first two trilateral technical planning groups for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) transit corridor, covering transport and electricity transmission. Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade announced this. TRIPP is a multimodal route through Armenia’s southern Syunik province that will link Azerbaijan with Nakhijevan; the United States will hold 74% of the company developing it and Armenia 26%.

The start of the groups’ work was announced in a joint statement by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Brendan Hanrahan, Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Vahan Kostanyan and Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov. The format brings together policymakers and technical experts from the three countries. Their joint work is intended to support long-term stability, economic viability, connectivity and commercial prosperity in the region.

According to the statement, setting up the groups is an important step toward resolving complex technical issues and moving to the next stages of implementation, including links with other regional infrastructure. The parties reaffirmed their commitments to bring all TRIPP components into operation as soon as possible, as well as the significance of the declaration of the Peace Summit held on August 8, 2025, with the mediation of President Donald Trump.

What TRIPP involves

Under the Armenia-U.S. framework agreement, the route will include a railway, a road, pipelines, fiber-optic lines and power lines. Sovereignty and border and customs control remain with Armenia. The TRIPP Development Company will be set up as a joint-stock company, and key decisions will require the consent of both sides.

The company will receive exclusive land-use rights for 49 years. The term may be extended by another 50 years, in which case Armenia’s share will rise to 49%. Dividends, share sales and transfers of land rights are exempt from taxes.

What has been done so far

On October 8, representatives of the relevant Armenian and Azerbaijani agencies held a technical meeting in Goris on the routing of power transmission lines under TRIPP, according to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.

At the October 22 cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan announced that Armenia is starting design work on three TRIPP components – the railway, the road and the power lines – without waiting for the joint company to be set up. According to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the completed work will be transferred to the company, including as Armenia’s contribution, and parliament has begun ratifying the agreement with the United States.

The government has also approved 7 draft laws that would exempt companies created under international treaties with a state stake of 25% or more from the laws on procurement, competition and public-private partnership. The rules also apply to the TRIPP Development Company.