Washington: The US and Armenia have announced a framework for implementing a strategic transit corridor, a decision made during a White House Peace Summit in August aimed at boosting regional trade.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the announcement followed a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at the State Department. The discussions focused on the progress of the corridor and broader US-Armenia cooperation.

The transit project, named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), is set to connect mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through southern Armenia. This initiative was formalized in a declaration signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and US President Donald Trump during the August summit.

A statement released after the meeting emphasized that while the TRIPP corridor will connect Azerbaijan's main territory with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, it will also provide significant benefits for both international and intra-state connectivity within Armenia.

Before the meeting, Rubio highlighted to reporters that the corridor would enhance Armenia's economic prospects without compromising its sovereignty. "We just think the TRIPP arrangement really is going to turn out to be a model for the world of how you can open yourself up to economic activity and prosperity without in any way questioning or undermining your sovereignty and your territorial integrity," he stated.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process encompasses several elements, including border delimitation talks, reopening of transport routes, and the finalization of a formal peace treaty. Additionally, leaders from both nations have initialed a 17-point peace agreement, committing to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from using force, establish diplomatic relationships, and negotiate border issues through bilateral commissions.