Armenian FM says U.S. share in TRIPP Development Company reflects investment scale

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Wednesday that a planned ownership split granting the United States a 74% stake in the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) Development Company and Armenia 26% was a fair outcome of negotiations, reflecting the scale of the parties’ respective investments.

Speaking at a press conference following the release of the TRIPP Implementation Framework in Washington, Mirzoyan stressed that the arrangement would not involve the outsourcing of any state functions.

"Across the entire TRIPP coverage area, full access for Armenia’s law enforcement, security and emergency authorities will be ensured," Mirzoyan said.

Under the implementation framework, Armenia intends to offer the United States a 74% share and to hold itself a 26% share in the TRIPP Development Company. Asked why Armenia would hold a minority stake, Mirzoyan said the division was the result of negotiations and mirrored expected contributions.

“It reflects the countries’ investments,” he said. “It’s no secret that the United States will make large-scale investments. Armenia’s main contribution, broadly speaking, will be development rights.”

Mirzoyan added that the agreement would cover a period of 49 years and described the ownership structure as “a fair distribution”.