RA NA Vice Speaker on TRIPP: Armenian-American project does not envisage participation of other countries
ArmInfo. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project is an Armenian-American project that does not envisage the participation of other countries, as stated by Ruben Rubinyan, Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, to reporters at the National Assembly on January 19.
However, he assured that despite this, in terms of dividends, the implementation of TRIPP benefits Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Russia, as well as countries in Central Asia and Europe. Rubinyan pointed to a direct link between the project's launch and the possible lifting of the blockade, which, he assured, would provide Armenia with rail links to Iran and Russia, and Russia with Turkey. "Upon reviewing the document, it will become clear to everyone: it rules out the corridor logic. Furthermore, the published document clearly states that security will be maintained by the relevant Armenian authorities, passport and customs procedures will be in place, and Armenian border guards will be physically present at the controlled areas. All actions will be carried out with due regard for Armenia's sovereignty," the deputy speaker of parliament assured, adding that the issue of sovereignty and the state's share in the project are in no way connected in this case. In this regard, he noted that theoretically, the project could be entirely American-owned (Armenia's share is 26%, while the US's is 74% - ed.). Rubinyan also clarified why Armenia has such a small stake in the project. According to him, the US owns 74% because it will be the US that will invest in the project. "Not only will Armenia receive taxes from the project, it will also profit from the distribution of shares," Rubinyan said.
When considering the control mechanism Armenia will exercise in this situation, given that it owns only a 26% stake in the project, Rubinyan pointed out that there are numerous companies in the country in which the state does not hold a stake but still regulates their activities. He mentioned the Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC and South Caucasus Railway CJSC (SCR) as examples, highlighting that they are registered in Armenia, pay taxes, and operate within the framework of Armenian law.
He also commented on statements coming from Turkey, in particular the fact that it continues to be referred to in the context of the so-called "Zangezur Corridor," ignoring other designations. "The corridor topic is closed. We don't know what the 'Zangezur Corridor' is. There's only the Trump route," Rubinyan said, adding that the published document outlines all the aspects that raise concerns about the route's implementation and statements coming from Turkey.