Russia’s and Turkey’s participation in the TRIPP project has not been discussed: Mirzoyan

The participation of Russia and Turkey in the TRIPP project has not been discussed.
Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan, stated this in a live broadcast from
Washington following the signing of a document on the implementation of the TRIPP
project.

In response to a question about Turkey’s possible involvement in the project, the Minister
noted that such an issue was not discussed, as TRIPP is a joint Armenian-American
business project. However, he said that in the broader context of de-blockade, it is evident
that without Turkey’s participation it will not be possible to ensure a major logistics corridor,
nor the unblocking of Armenia. According to the Minister, discussions with Turkey are
progressing quite well and are expected to yield results in the near future. Without the
Gyumri-Kars railway, cargo cannot reach Europe via Turkish territory. It is therefore logical
for Turkey to become part of the communications routes, not through TRIPP specifically,
but possibly as a continuation of TRIPP, the Minister believes.

The Minister added that Russia’s participation in the project was likewise not discussed for
the same reasons. The framework of TRIPP is clearly defined. However, within the context
of broader de-blockade with the participation of immediate or more distant neighbors,
Russia’s involvement is possible: “We do not intend to leave the Russian Federation
outside the process,” the Minister stated. Responding to a question regarding the idea
previously voiced by the Prime Minister of Armenia, that if Russia, through South
Caucasus Railway, is not prepared to restore the missing sections, Armenia will do so
independently and whether there had been any reaction to it, Mirzoyan said that such a
reaction was, in essence, not intended.

A political and economic vision for infrastructure has been presented, and it is important
that the Yeraskh and Shirak sections, as well as the missing segments, be restored
promptly. This has been conveyed to the Russian side, and if there is no response, other
scenarios will also be considered, Mirzoyan explained.