BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.10. The Trump Route for
International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) will facilitate linkages
more broadly between Europe and Asia, former ambassador of the U.S.
to Azerbaijan, Senior Adjunct Professor at American University
Robert F. Cekuta told Trend.


“TRIPP is a vital component of what has been called the Middle
Corridor or the New Silk Road. The TRIPP of course is important as
a way to address the question of assured overland linkages between
Nakhchivan and the Azerbaijani “mainland” while also respecting the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia.


But what is also exciting is the potential for this new
connection to facilitate linkages more broadly between Europe and
Central, East, and South Asia. These connections will not just be
for rail or road traffic, but hopefully also for needed improved
digital/cable linkages as well. And something that cannot be
understated, hopefully also an avenue for increased connections
among the people of the region, something that will build
innovation, commerce, and prosperity as well as understanding,
peace, and security for all those living in the South Caucasus,
Central Asia and beyond,” he said.


Cekuta expressed hope that Americans — not just companies, but
people — will join with Armenians and Azerbaijanis in developing
the TRIPP and other components of the Middle Corridor.


“Hopefully the Vice President Vance’s trip will also help
Americans see the important contributions they can make and
energize Americans to engage more actively as well with the
region,” he added.


Cekuta went on to add that the Vice President’s trip makes it
absolutely clear the United States’ interest in the region and the
magnitude of U.S. efforts to help Azerbaijanis and Armenians build
and enjoy the peace that has too long eluded them.


“His visit shows there can be no mistaking that the United
States wants to be a friend to Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as to
others in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.







It is essential to note as well that these U.S. efforts over the
past few years have built on and supported actions President Ilham
Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashanyan have taken to resolve the
decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan; the United
States is not coming in and trying to impose a settlement, but
rather helping and supporting the two leaders and their countries
in finding and solidifying a new and lasting peace. In sum what is
happening with Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the strong, open
support of the United States is a piece of very good news —
something that is too rare in the world these days,” he
concluded.


On August 8, 2025, following the results of a trilateral meeting
with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol
Pashinyan signed a joint declaration on ensuring peace between Baku
and Yerevan and establishing transport links between the main part
of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. This project
was named the Trump Route for International Peace and
Prosperity.


During the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan initialed the draft
"Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations
between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia" and
signed a joint appeal by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia to the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office (on the closure of the OSCE Minsk Process).


Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Secretary of
State Marco Rubio met in Washington in January 2026, where they
presented a framework program for the execution of the TRIPP
project.


In their joint statement, Mirzoyan and Rubio emphasized
Armenia’s intention to approve and support the creation of the
TRIPP Development Company, which will be tasked with overseeing the
development of the TRIPP project. The company will be granted the
right to implement the project for an initial term of 49 years.


Under the terms, Yerevan plans to offer Washington a 74% stake
in the TRIPP Development Company, while retaining 26%.