The Struggle in the South Caucasus of the Post-Soviet Space: The U.S. and Armenia Commit to Advancing the "Trump Corridor Project"
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio visited Yerevan on Tuesday, where the United States and Armenia pledged to advance the "corridor project."
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio held a brief meeting with Armenia's Foreign Minister at Yerevan’s capital airport. Rubio committed that the United States would continue advancing the corridor project connecting regions of Azerbaijan with Armenia.
Before arriving in Yerevan, Rubio visited India. There, he attended the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) meeting involving the United States, India, Australia, and Japan. On his return journey, Rubio’s private aircraft made a refueling stop at Yerevan’s capital airport.
Seizing the opportunity, he held talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. Currently, Armenia—a Caucasus nation long seen as a traditional ally of Russia—is seeking to strengthen its ties with Western countries.
President Donald Trump is pushing forward a road and railway corridor initiative named after him: the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity." This "Trump Corridor" project aims to pass through Armenia, linking Azerbaijan’s mainland with its exclave of Nakhchivan and integrating the region into a new east-west trade route.
On Tuesday, the United States and Armenia committed to advancing the "corridor project," though neither side disclosed the specific details of their commitment. On the same day, the U.S. Secretary of State and Armenia’s Foreign Minister signed the Charter of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Yerevan.
Armenia Gradually Moving Away from Moscow
In regard to the corridor project, Armenia is currently cautiously maintaining diplomatic balance. The United States and Israel are currently at war with neighboring Iran, which has long maintained friendly relations with Armenia.
Armenia has clearly informed Tehran that the corridor will remain under Armenian sovereignty and will not be controlled by the United States.
In February this year, U.S. Vice President Vance visited both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Washington is attempting to solidify the peace agreement between the two South Caucasus nations brokered under its mediation.
Vance’s visit marked the first time in recent years that a senior American official has visited Armenia. In recent years, Armenia has gradually distanced itself from Moscow.
Armenia has suspended participation in regional security agreements led by Russia and accused Russia of failing to provide support during the short-lived conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2023. In that war, Azerbaijan regained full control over the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Last year, Armenia also passed legislation formally expressing its intention to apply for membership in the European Union.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866304772223236/
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