Alexander Vinnikov, Head of NATO’s office in the South Caucasus, stated that NATO welcomes the recent progress made by Armenia and Azerbaijan toward a peace agreement and supports constructive initiatives by both parties.
According to him, the South Caucasus has the potential to become a major transport hub, but realizing this potential depends on developing modern infrastructure and establishing a true intermodal system, Auroranews.am reports.
Such systems, he noted, would allow goods to move efficiently across different stages, countries, and geographic environments.
Vinnikov referred to the August 8 agreement in Washington and subsequent developments, including a proposed regional connectivity network linking Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey, and the broader prospect of connecting Central Asia to Europe, as clear indicators of the opportunities ahead.
He stressed that regardless of what names are given to these initiatives, their essence is what matters, whether they serve the interests of the region, utilize transit and economic capacity effectively, and promote peace and long-term stability.
Vinnikov said these principles underpin the TRIPP initiative, which introduces new opportunities for regional integration and economic development across the South Caucasus.
In Washington, Armenian, Azerbaijani, and U.S. leaders — Nikol Pashinyan, Ilham Aliyev, and Donald Trump — officially agreed to launch the Trump Route.
"The corridor will allow Azerbaijan to access Nakhichevan while fully respecting Armenia’s sovereignty. Armenia, in turn, forms a unique partnership with the U.S. to develop this corridor, with the agreement potentially lasting up to 99 years, and renewable for another 99 after that. We expect significant infrastructure developments, and American companies are eager to invest heavily in these countries, bringing economic benefits to all three," Trump stated.
On September 11, Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia had not leased land to the U.S. for 99 years, but rather granted construction rights.
