Asbarez: Armenia Will Oversee Border, Customs on TRIPP, State Department Says

The State Department said that all functions of customs and border security along the proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity—TRIPP—will be overseen by Armenia and governed by Armenian laws.

The U.S. statement was in response by an inquiry by Azatutyun.am regarding the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union regulations governing customs and trade. Armenia is a member of the EEU and bound by its rules.

Armenia’s recent westward turn has angered Russia, with Moscow pressuring Yerevan to make up its mind on whether it will remain in the EEU or move toward the European Union and the West in general.

Armenia’s deputy foreign minister recently announced that the TRIPP project, which will connect Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan through Armenia’s Syunik Province, will operate in accordance with the EEU transit regulations.

This prompted Azatutyun.am’s query for the State Department to clarify whether the US, as a TRIPP participant, has agreed that the transit route will operate under the EEU regulatory framework and whether customs transit procedures within the framework of TRIPP will be regulated by the EEU regulations, and if so, whether there already was an understanding or agreement between Armenia and the US on this matter.

The State Department responded very briefly, only stating that TRIPP preserves Armenia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction. All border security and customs functions shall remain under Armenia’s overseeing, the Armenian authorities shall oversee and make key decisions.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan hinted that interaction with those passing and returning through this route could also be delegated to a third-country operator. They will collect documents for verification, as well as transit fees.

In response to the question of whether Washington has discussed this with the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the State Department spokesperson only stated that Washington continues to work with the Azerbaijani government on the priority domains enshrined in the strategic partnership document, including regional connectivity, economic investment, energy, security cooperation, and artificial intelligence.

Also, the State Department declined to say how much money the American side has allocated for the TRIPP project so far, as the State Department spokesperson said that they could not provide additional details at this time.

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