Armenia, Azerbaijan, and US launch technical planning groups to advance Trump

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the US have announced the launch of trilateral technical planning groups to advance the Trump Route. In a statement released on 7 November, the three countries said the move was a ‘crucial step’ towards resolving complex technical issues ahead of implementing the massive infrastructure project.

The three nations agreed to establish the Trump Route, a planned multi-use infrastructure project intended to connect mainland Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan through Armenian territory, during the Washington Summit in August 2025. A bilateral document with the US and Armenia described the route as being ‘expected to generate reciprocal benefits for international and intra-state connectivity for the Republic of Armenia’.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov, and US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Brendan Hanrahan launched the group.

‘This forum brings together policymakers and technical experts from our three countries to work collaboratively and contribute to long-term stability, economic vitality, regional connectivity, and commercial prosperity across the region, underscoring the landmark 8 August 2025, Peace Summit Declaration brokered by President Trump’, the statement read.

The parties further agreed to inaugurate the first two trilateral planning groups, which are focused on transport and electricity transmission.

‘These technical planning groups represent a crucial step toward resolving complex technical issues and moving to the next phases of implementation, including connection with other regional infrastructures’, the statement read.

The last months have seen some progress in regards to the Trump Route.

In late October, the Armenian Parliament ratified a framework agreement with the US on strategic cooperation concerning the Trump Route. The agreement was adopted with only the ruling Civil Contract party’s support.

The opposition voted against the agreement, with the Armenia Alliance faction arguing that the document reflects Azerbaijani interests over Armenia’s own.

The largest opposition party in parliament, Strong Armenia, insisted that the Trump Route launch and the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan should be interconnected. Otherwise, they warned that Azerbaijan could lose its incentive to sign the treaty once the route becomes operational and then introduce additional conditions.

Under the framework agreement, the US is set to hold a 74% stake in the TRIPP Development Company — the company responsible for developing and managing the project — while Armenia will hold the remaining 26%.

In October, delegations from Azerbaijan and Armenia met in the Armenian city of Goris to discuss the construction of power transmission lines as part of the Trump Route project.

Earlier, on 8 September, the US Chargé d’Affaires in Armenia David Allen visited Baku for talks with Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mammadov and Amy Carlon, the US Chargé d’Affaires in Azerbaijan. According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the meeting was organised to discuss the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and the Trump Route.