PanARMENIAN.Net - Ruben Rubinyan, Deputy Speaker of Armenia's National Assembly, told reporters in parliament that Armenia fully considers the vital interests of its neighbors when it comes to infrastructure projects like the TRIPP (Trump Route) initiative.
This comment follows remarks by Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, who recently told Armenia's ambassador in Tehran that the Trump Route is essentially the same as the so-called "Zangezur Corridor", a project Iran firmly opposes.
"It is absolutely out of the question that any project in Armenia could contradict the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, or fall outside of its full jurisdiction. We also consider the vital interests of our neighbors, and in Iran's case, these largely align with Armenia's interests. We see no grounds for concern here," Rubinyan said, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.
He added that Armenia is in constant contact with its partners regarding this matter and emphasized that official Iranian positions are conveyed through the Foreign Ministry, which Armenia uses as its reference.
Rubinyan also noted that the project was developed with full awareness of Iran's clearly defined red lines, adding: "This is not just Iran's red line, it is first and foremost Armenia's: there will be no extraterritorial corridor through Armenian territory."
"TRIPP is not the Zangezur Corridor. It is a business initiative that will operate under Armenia's full sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction, based on principles of equality," he told Aysor.am .
Regarding potential Russian involvement, Rubinyan clarified that no discussions are underway with Moscow on participation in the Trump Route project.
Earlier, Mikhail Kalugin, head of the Fourth Department for CIS Countries at Russia's Foreign Ministry, stated that Moscow is open to consultations with Armenia about TRIPP's parameters and possible Russian participation. He added that the proposed route would largely pass through areas under the Russian border guards' responsibility.
Source: PanArmenian.Net
