Armenian government launches ratification process for TRIPP agreement

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) — The Armenian government has approved a bill to ratify its strategic cooperation agreement with the United States on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, formally launching the domestic approval process for the TRIPP project.

The agreement, signed in Washington on June 1 and in Yerevan on June 4, will first be submitted to Armenia’s Constitutional Court. Should the court find it compatible with the Constitution, the ratification bill will proceed to the National Assembly.

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the accord builds on the Armenian-Azerbaijani declaration signed in Washington on August 8, 2025, and the TRIPP implementation framework concluded between Armenia and the United States in January 2026. He rejected claims that the new agreement contradicts those documents.

The project seeks to expand regional transport infrastructure and international trade while promoting economic development and stability in the South Caucasus. Mirzoyan insisted that Armenia’s sovereignty, jurisdiction and territorial integrity are explicitly protected under the agreement.

Armenia and the United States will establish a TRIPP Development Company empowered to create separate entities for specific infrastructure projects and attract outside investors. The company will receive development and land-use rights in designated areas for 49 years, with the United States holding a 74 per cent stake and Armenia 26 per cent.

Should the arrangement be extended for another 50 years, Armenia’s share would rise automatically to 49 per cent without additional financial commitments.

Mirzoyan said Armenia would retain full authority over border security, customs, migration, taxation, state information systems and other government functions. Certain operational services could nevertheless be assigned to private operators under government supervision.

He also clarified that TRIPP Plus, a recently established U.S.-based investment vehicle, was created to raise financing and has only an indirect relationship with the development company planned in Armenia.