Tokayev: Kazakhstan interested in joining "Trump route"

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that his country is interested in joining the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) initiative during a joint press briefing with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Tokayev said that the talks with the Armenian prime minister focused on expanding cooperation in industry, transport and logistics, energy, agriculture, digitalisation, and construction, noting that particular attention was given to improving the use of the transport and transit sector’s potential, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Kazakh president’s press service.

He stated that the evolving geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus was creating favourable opportunities for strengthening bilateral and regional ties. Tokayev expressed Kazakhstan’s support for Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative in the transport and transit sphere and affirmed Kazakhstan’s interest in taking part in the TRIPP International Route of Peace and Prosperity project. He said that linking these strategic corridors with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the North–South Corridor aligned with the interests of both Yerevan and Astana.

Tokayev also noted that the first shipment of Kazakh wheat had recently been delivered to Armenia. He expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan’s leadership for lifting sanctions and enabling direct bilateral trade through Azerbaijani territory, pointing out that this made it possible for a shipment of 1,000 tons of wheat to reach Armenia in November. 

He described the move as having significant political and economic importance and said Kazakhstan was ready to supply Armenia with high-quality grain and other goods on a regular basis.

He added that both sides had agreed to intensify cooperation in this area, identifying the establishment of direct air links and the launch of air cargo transportation as priority tasks. Tokayev said concrete plans were already in place and that implementation would begin soon.

TRIPP, also known as Zangezur Corridor, is a strategic transport route that would link mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Armenia’s Syunik (Zangezur) region, significantly enhancing regional connectivity. 

By Sabina Mammadli