Thursday, 16 July 2026
The Government launches the process of ratifying the framework agreement on Strategic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United States on the TRIPP Project
The regular Cabinet meeting was held today, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.
The Government approved the bill of the Republic of Armenia on Ratifying the Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) Project. The adoption of the law will ensure the procedures for the entry into force of the Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America on the TRIPP Project, signed on June 1, 2026 in Washington and on June 4, 2026 in Yerevan.
As noted by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, the decision launches the process of ratifying the Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United States on the TRIPP Project. "With the adoption of the decision, we will send the bill to the Constitutional Court in accordance with the established procedure. In the event of the Constitutional Court's decision to record that the provisions in the international agreement do not contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, we will transfer the discussion of the issue to the National Assembly in accordance with the standard procedure."
The Foreign Minister recalled that the signing of the framework agreement was preceded by two other very important documents: the signing of the peace declaration by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and the President of Azerbaijan in the presence of US President Trump on August 8, 2025, and the signing of other related documents in parallel with the signing of that declaration, and then, on January 13, 2026, the signing of the document entitled “Framework for the Implementation of the TRIPP” by the US Secretary of State and Mirzoyan. “Now this intergovernmental framework agreement further elaborates on the agreed details and directions and is fully consistent with the two aforementioned documents. There were some speculations that the interstate agreement may contain provisions inconsistent with the aforementioned documents, and as we see, this agreement is not only fully consistent with the proclaimed, recorded, enshrined, signed principles, but also the framework agreement itself repeatedly refers to both the documents of August 8 and January 13,” the minister noted.
Ararat Mirzoyan informed that in order to complete the process of establishing the TRIPP, there are still two documents ahead: the agreement between the shareholders and the charter of the TRIPP Development Company, in the direction on which we are currently working.
Referring to the framework agreement, the Foreign Minister noted that the signing of the document establishes that Armenia and the United States aim to contribute to and strengthen the peace and stability established in the South Caucasus, as well as the development of peoples and states, through the development of transport, transport infrastructure, regional and global trade in the South Caucasus. “This has also been repeatedly stated in the framework agreement. I also want to note that the entire process is consistent with and is being implemented with full respect for the sovereignty, jurisdiction and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. The document mentions this numerous times.
Turning to the technical details, I would like to say that under the agreement, the Republic of Armenia and the United States are establishing the TRIPP Development Company. This company will be able to establish special-purpose companies for separate projects in different zones of the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and attract other partners.
TRIPP Development Company will receive land use and construction rights in these zones, and this right will be valid for an initial period of 49 years. During this period, the company's shares will be distributed as follows: the United States will own 74 percent of the shares, and Armenia will own 26 percent. After the expiration of this initial period, there will be an opportunity to extend the cooperation period by agreement of the parties for another 50 years, and in the event of an extension, it will be ensured that Armenia will own 49 percent of the company's shares. That is, Armenia's share will increase from 26 percent to 49 percent. In the event of an extension of the period, Armenia will not undertake any additional steps, investments, or obligations to obtain a 49 percent share.
Returning to what I said earlier, I would like to note that the Republic of Armenia will retain its full sovereignty and full jurisdiction over the control of the state border, customs administration, as well as all customs processes carried out on the territory of the Republic of Armenia,” Ararat Mirzoyan noted.
According to the Minister, Armenia, in accordance with its domestic legislation and international agreements, will continue to be responsible for the following:
a. security and law enforcement activities
b. border control and border security
c. customs and migration control
d. transfer of taxes and duties to the state budget
e. state information systems
f. state administrative functions and control.
“What I have listed completely covers and can dispel all the concerns that, frankly, could have arisen during numerous discussions among the Armenian public, as well as the malicious speculations that we have witnessed at least in recent months,” said Ararat Mirzoyan.
The Government approved the procedure for registering an economic entity in the trade control and expert system for the export of fish or fish products from the Republic of Armenia to the countries of the European Union, for terminating registration and for issuing a health certificate. The procedures are aimed at diversifying markets, which in turn will contribute to increasing export volumes and further modernization of economies in accordance with international standards.
By the decision of the Government, 1 billion 35 million drams will be allocated to the regional administrations of the Republic of Armenia in order to fulfill financial obligations towards the relevant construction organizations for the implementation of subsidy programs.
The Government has approved the procedure for creating a Data Classification System and its application. It will contribute to the regulation and unification of the procedures for managing, approving, amending and canceling the classifiers used in the State Information System. The government adopted a decision "On establishing the management system of the State Information System and approving the procedure for its application."
