Armenia’s Sovereignty Is Enshrined in the “Trump Route” Project

By KRIKOR KHODANIAN

The “Trump Route—for International Peace and Prosperity” initiative has begun to take shape. Last week in Washington, a meeting was held between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan. On this occasion, a joint Armenia–U.S. statement was released, detailing plans to expand the roadway connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, as well as broader regional transportation and cargo transit opportunities.

The published document places particular emphasis on the fact that Armenia will retain full authority over border control and customs operations with respect to trade and transit conducted along the route.

“Armenia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over border and customs operations are absolute and indisputable,” the statement declares. Rubio also provided similar assurances, stating to journalists that the project in no way infringes upon Armenia’s sovereignty.

Contrary to accusations that Armenia’s Syunik region would be “handed over” to American companies, the project instead confirms that these companies will make investments within the region and, through modern equipment and infrastructure, improve roads and railways—transforming Armenia into a regional transit hub for cargo transportation. By doing so, Armenia will secure significant revenues and receive its rightful share of the proceeds.

It is true that the issuance of transit passes to Azerbaijani users of the route will be carried out by representatives of the American company; however, Armenian border guards, stationed near the checkpoints, will retain the authority to inspect documents and cargo.

From the outset, official Yerevan declared that the concept of the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” demanded by Azerbaijan does not exist and constitutes a red line for Armenia. Armenia remained firm in this principled position to the very end, ultimately compelling Azerbaijan to step back. At the same time, Russia sought to enforce Article 9 of the trilateral statement signed at the conclusion of the 44-day war, under which Russian forces would have overseen the road passing through Syunik and connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan. There was even talk of installing barbed wire along both sides of the road to turn it into a genuine free corridor. However, from the very first days, Azerbaijan began violating all provisions of the ceasefire agreement, while the Lachin Corridor—entrusted to Russia—ended in the blockade of Artsakh and the subsequent displacement of its Armenian population. Despite all this, there were political circles in Armenia that called for the implementation of that same Article 9 of the ceasefire agreement. The authorities opposed this, drawing criticism from Russia and pro-Russian opposition forces.

This Armenian–American agreement is poised to become one of the greatest successes of Armenia’s diplomacy, the benefits of which will be reaped over the coming decades.

The “Trump Route” will provide Armenia with revenues, offer development opportunities to Syunik, guarantee regional security and the near-elimination of the risk of war, and—most importantly—affirm Armenia’s sovereignty over its entire territory.
“MASSIS”

Note: Translated with the assistance of ChatGPT