BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. Physical construction works on the 42-kilometer section of the Zangezur corridor passing through Armenia are expected to begin in 2026 as part of the TRIPP (“Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity”) project agreed between the United States and Armenia, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
Bayramov made the remarks while answering journalists’ questions following a joint briefing in Baku with Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis.
The minister noted that important confidence-building steps have been taken over the past year within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process. These measures include lifting restrictions on the transit of goods to and from Armenia through Azerbaijani territory, as well as the delivery of oil products to Armenia.
Bayramov said that the TRIPP project presented during last year’s Washington Peace Summit is of particular importance. “This project covers the 42-kilometer section of the Zangezur corridor passing through Armenia. The project is being implemented between the United States and Armenia. However, since its entry and exit points are located on Azerbaijani territory, the American side regularly informs us about the progress of the project,” the minister said.
According to him, construction works on this section are expected to begin in 2026 after the completion of the preparatory phase.
Bayramov emphasized that Azerbaijan is rapidly fulfilling its commitments. “The implementation of new railway and highway projects in mainland Azerbaijan is progressing at a high level. Our expectation is that both projects will reach the Armenian border by the beginning of 2027,” he said.
He added that investments have also been allocated to restore the approximately 180-kilometer railway line dating back to the Soviet period in the direction of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and work has already started.
The minister also noted that the Kars-Iğdır-Dilucu railway project is currently being implemented.
According to Bayramov, the implementation of all these projects will not only establish connectivity between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, but will also create a new route of the Middle Corridor. “This can significantly contribute to expanding trade, economic growth and strengthening regional cooperation for Azerbaijan, Armenia and other neighboring countries,” the minister said.
He added that the expansion of the range of goods traded between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the future cannot be ruled out.
According to Bayramov, over the past nearly one year, around 60,000 tons of cargo have been transported to and from Armenia through Azerbaijani territory, while the volume of oil products sold by Azerbaijan to Armenia has reached nearly 20,000 tons. “I am confident that cooperation in this area will continue in the future,” Bayramov added.
