US Senator: Trump’s TRIPP corridor could boost regional trade and stability

A senior US lawmaker has praised Washington’s renewed focus on peace efforts in the South Caucasus, saying the Trump administration has made “real progress” where previous attempts had failed.

Speaking at the conference “The US in the South Caucasus: Mapping New Strategic Opportunities” in Washington, Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana said that for decades, successive American presidents had tried to broker a settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan but none succeeded.

“Every president since H. W. Bush pursued their own peace initiatives trying to find a resolution to the issue, but all came up short,” Daines said.

He noted that while some administrations had not devoted sufficient attention or resources to the conflict, others were simply unable to get the two sides to agree.

“And that brings us to this year when the Trump administration prioritised finding peace in the South Caucasus,” the senator continued. “Both Armenia and Azerbaijan turned toward an independent future in a unique partnership with the United States.”

Daines said American negotiators, led by businessman and envoy Steve Witkoff, quickly engaged with both sides on the most contentious issues. “Steve Witkoff’s team was immediately on the ground tackling the thorniest issues of this deal,” he said.

He highlighted what he described as an “innovative concept” developed by US negotiators — the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).

“The American negotiators came up with the innovative concept of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity or TRIPP as it's referred to, that would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave in Nakhchivan, while creating a new trade route. Of course, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other regional states would benefit from it,” he said.

Daines added that the United States is investing concrete resources in regional peace efforts that promise benefits for all countries involved. He described the economic potential opened up by the agreement reached on August 8 this year as “highly significant.”

“The peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is a diplomatic breakthrough, a truly mutually beneficial example of peacemaking. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States are moving forward and working toward a more prosperous and secure future. Baku is one of the world’s most important exporters of gas and oil,” he emphasised.

By Tamilla Hasanova