BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. Physical
construction works on the 42-kilometer section of the Zangezur
corridor passing through Armenia are expected to begin in 2026 as
part of the TRIPP (“Trump Route for International Peace and
Prosperity”) project agreed between the United States and Armenia,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend's correspondent reports
from the event.
Bayramov made the remarks while answering journalists’ questions
following a joint briefing in Baku with Swiss Federal Councillor
and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, OSCE
Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis.
The minister noted that important confidence-building steps have
been taken over the past year within the framework of the
Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process. These measures include
lifting restrictions on the transit of goods to and from Armenia
through Azerbaijani territory, as well as the delivery of oil
products to Armenia.
Bayramov said that the TRIPP project presented during last
year’s Washington Peace Summit is of particular importance. “This
project covers the 42-kilometer section of the Zangezur corridor
passing through Armenia. The project is being implemented between
the United States and Armenia. However, since its entry and exit
points are located on Azerbaijani territory, the American side
regularly informs us about the progress of the project,” the
minister said.
According to him, construction works on this section are
expected to begin in 2026 after the completion of the preparatory
phase.
Bayramov emphasized that Azerbaijan is rapidly fulfilling its
commitments. “The implementation of new railway and highway
projects in mainland Azerbaijan is progressing at a high level. Our
expectation is that both projects will reach the Armenian border by
the beginning of 2027,” he said.
He added that investments have also been allocated to restore
the approximately 180-kilometer railway line dating back to the
Soviet period in the direction of the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic, and work has already started.
The minister also noted that the Kars-Iğdır-Dilucu railway
project is currently being implemented.
According to Bayramov, the implementation of all these projects
will not only establish connectivity between mainland Azerbaijan
and Nakhchivan, but will also create a new route of the Middle
Corridor. “This can significantly contribute to expanding trade,
economic growth and strengthening regional cooperation for
Azerbaijan, Armenia and other neighboring countries,” the minister
said.
He added that the expansion of the range of goods traded between
Azerbaijan and Armenia in the future cannot be ruled out.
According to Bayramov, over the past nearly one year, around
60,000 tons of cargo have been transported to and from Armenia
through Azerbaijani territory, while the volume of oil products
sold by Azerbaijan to Armenia has reached nearly 20,000 tons. “I am
confident that cooperation in this area will continue in the
future,” Bayramov added.
