Armenia’s Ambassador to the U.S. Narek Mkrtchyan responded to a question from a journalist with the U.S. publication The Hill on whether Armenia would consider joining efforts to isolate Iran if Washington made such a request. The journalist noted that the U.S. had made such requests to its allies and partner countries.
“There is no issue in the world that cannot be discussed. Everything is discussable,” Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan responded, Azatutyun reports.
Addressing the TRIPP project, Mkrtchyan said it could be possible to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for TRIPP in early 2027. At the same time, Armenia’s ambassador to the U.S. stressed that the project is not directed against any third country, including Iran or Russia.
“We have also communicated this project to our neighbor Iran. Iran is our immediate neighbor. We have an Armenian community there, and we need to have normal relations with Iran, as we always have. Having a peaceful border with Iran and maintaining friendly relations with Iran are also important for the successful implementation of this project, TRIPP.
“We have engaged in dialogue with our neighbors, telling them that this is not against you. This is only about connectivity, infrastructure and trade. And it has nothing to do with possible military operations. We need to continue this communication, presenting all the details and alleviating their concerns,” Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan said.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov claimed on September 15 that although a 42-kilometer section of the Turkey-Nakhichevan railway route passes through Armenian territory and is considered Armenian territory, entry and exit will be carried out from Azerbaijan.
In his interview with the U.S. media outlet, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan stressed: “Everything will be determined by Armenian state authorities — customs control, taxes, emergency services, police and security; I mean with regard to TRIPP. It will be under Armenian jurisdiction. This is one of the most important principles respected by both the U.S. and Azerbaijan in the Washington peace declaration. This means that Armenia maintains its full sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, as well as its sovereign authority to make decisions.”
Asked by the journalist whether Armenia had begun a process of moving away from Russia and toward the U.S., Armenia’s ambassador in Washington said there was, of course, a process underway, but that it concerned Armenia’s sovereignty, independence and diversification.
In Washington, the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the U.S. — Nikol Pashinyan, Ilham Aliyev and Donald Trump — formally reached an agreement on launching the Trump Route.
“The route will allow Azerbaijan to reach Nakhichevan while fully respecting Armenia’s sovereignty. Armenia is also establishing an exclusive partnership with the U.S. to develop this corridor. The term can be extended for up to 99 years, and they have promised to extend it for another 99 years after that. We expect major infrastructure development. American companies are eager to enter these countries and spend significant amounts of money, which will bring economic benefits to our three countries,” Trump said.
On September 11, Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia had not leased land to the U.S. side for 99 years but had instead granted development rights.
