Armenia's Foreign Intelligence Service: Unblocking regional communications and TRIPP project will expand opportunities for economy

YEREVAN, January 20. /ARKA/. Unblocking regional communications and implementing the TRIPP project will expand the economic and logistical capabilities of Armenia and the entire region, according to Armenia's Foreign Intelligence Service's (FIS) report "On the External Security Risks of the Republic of Armenia in 2026," which was provided exclusively to the Armenpress news agency.

The document notes that global and regional competition between states around economic and infrastructure projects continued in 2025. At the same time, certain conditions have been created for countries in the region to partially reduce tensions and advance prospects for regional stability. The FIS assesses that this dynamic is highly likely to continue in 2026.

As the report emphasizes, regional infrastructure and economic projects, while not the only factor in the institutionalization of peace, possess significant potential. On the one hand, they could raise the cost of military escalation in the region, while on the other, they could provide states with opportunities to strengthen their political and economic influence through engagement in such initiatives.

The FIS notes that the complete unblocking of the region, the possible resumption of the Kars-Gyumri railway connection, the implementation of the TRIPP project, and bilateral connectivity initiatives with neighboring states could ensure market diversification and expanded regional trade.

It is noted that the restoration of communications with Turkey and Azerbaijan will ensure faster and more cost-effective movement of people, goods, and services, and will create the preconditions for more balanced development of border regions in the western and eastern directions.

At the same time, the report emphasizes that infrastructure geopolitics demonstrates the use of infrastructure by state actors to expand their influence through the formation of economic leverage and dependencies. In this regard, according to the SVR, new economic, infrastructure, and trade initiatives in the region in 2026 will be under constant scrutiny by actors pursuing destructive interests, which could manifest itself in the form of physical restrictions, informational influence, and other malicious actions. 

About the TRIPP Development Company 

On January 13, in Washington, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a joint statement on the framework for the implementation of the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project.

The document defines the launch mechanism for the project, which aims to establish multimodal transit connectivity through Armenia, including connecting the mainland of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Region and integrating it into the Trans-Caspian Trade Route.

To implement the project, it is planned to establish the TRIPP Development Company, in which Armenia intends to offer the US a 74% stake, retaining 26%. The company is expected to receive the right to operate the project for a period of 49 years. According to Mirzoyan, the US investment will be financial in nature, while Armenia's contribution will consist of granting development rights.-0-