U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Armenia David Allen, State Department senior adviser for policy planning Dr. John Askonas and other U.S. officials visited Syunik and the TRIPP route area together with representatives of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia reported.
The purpose of the visit was to discuss with local communities the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, or TRIPP, and its potential to strengthen connectivity and create new economic opportunities for Armenia and the region.
During the visit, David Allen, John Askonas and representatives of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, accompanied by partners from engineering company AECOM, participated in public meetings organized in Goris, Meghri and Kapan.
Representatives of state and local government bodies, civil society, professional organizations, local communities, businesses and international development partners took part in the discussions. Participants received information from Armenian and U.S. officials about progress in implementing TRIPP and the feasibility studies currently underway, raised issues of concern and presented their views.
Allen stressed that TRIPP has already moved from vision to implementation, while railway engineering studies have begun in Armenia. He reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
The chargé d’affaires also emphasized the project’s economic potential. In his assessment, TRIPP could help create jobs, attract investment and improve connectivity, delivering tangible economic benefits to Armenian communities, particularly in Syunik.
During their visit to Syunik, the officials also met Governor Robert Ghukasyan. Through a memorandum of understanding signed at the American Corner in Kapan, the U.S. side reaffirmed the partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the Syunik Regional Library.
The meetings also provided an opportunity to hear the views and positions of local officials and residents and to discuss Syunik’s role in further expanding regional connectivity.
TRIPP is planned as a multimodal transit route through which railway, road, energy and digital infrastructure will be modernized. The project also aims to strengthen Armenia’s links with regional and international markets, from Central Asia to Europe.
Railway engineering studies are already underway.
