After Moscow insisted that it have a role in the so-called TRIPP project, Yerevan on Wednesday said that it was not currently in talks with Russia to advance the provisions of the agreement signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan last year in Washington.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin on Monday said that the implementation of the TRIPP—Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity—which envisions the unblocking of transport routes in the South Caucasus, is faced with a number of political and geopolitical factors, and Russia’s participation would make this project more viable.
Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan told reporters on Wednesday that such discussion were on the Armenia-Russia bilateral agenda.
At the same time, however, Safaryan declined to predict the future development of this project. He merely noted that the project is being implemented within the framework of Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, and therefore there should be no problems in interaction with Russia. Safaryan emphasized that Armenia remains a member of the EEU, and the project is being implemented in accordance with that group’s rules.
“The TRIPP project is currently in the implementation phase. Armenia is currently a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and TRIPP will be implemented within the framework of EEU regulations. Customs regulation in the EEU is carried out by our customs authorities, so we do not see a problem here. We are interested in dialogue and continuing our relations. Contacts will be established in the near future,” said the deputy minister.
Journalists also questioned whether the project could create practical challenges, particularly if a company established to manage the transit route would require coordination between Armenian, American and Russian stakeholders.
In response, Safaryan said Armenia’s customs procedures would continue to be administered by the country’s own authorities under the EEU framework.
“The EAEU customs regulations are implemented by our customs authorities,” he said, indicating that Armenia’s customs administration would remain responsible for enforcing the bloc’s rules.
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