Border and customs functions on the TRIPP route will remain under Armenia's control. U.S. State Department

All border security and customs functions will remain under Armenia's control, the U.S. Department of State said in response to an inquiry from Azatutyun regarding the application of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) regulations to the TRIPP route. The report was published by Azatutyun.

Earlier, Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister stated that the TRIPP route, which will connect Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenia's Syunik Province, will operate in accordance with the EAEU transit regulations. Azatutyun specifically asked the State Department whether the United States, as a participant in the TRIPP initiative, had agreed to the transit route operating under the EAEU regulatory framework and whether customs transit procedures within TRIPP would be governed by EAEU regulations. The outlet also asked whether Armenia and the United States had already reached an understanding or agreement on this issue.

The State Department responded briefly, stating only:

"TRIPP preserves Armenia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction. All border security and customs functions remain under Armenia's control. Armenian authorities are responsible for oversight and for making key decisions."

Earlier, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan did not rule out the possibility that the face-to-face servicing of people traveling through the route—that is, direct interaction with travelers—could be delegated to an operator from a third country. According to his remarks, that operator could collect the documents required for inspection as well as the transit fees.

The State Department did not answer Azatutyun's additional question regarding whether the United States plans to introduce any changes to the existing regulatory framework or establish separate transit rules for TRIPP.

In response to another question asking whether Washington had discussed this matter with the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan, a State Department spokesperson said only that the United States continues to work with the Government of Azerbaijan on the priority areas outlined in the Strategic Partnership document, including regional connectivity, economic investment, energy, security cooperation, and artificial intelligence.

The U.S. government also declined to disclose how much funding the American side has allocated to the TRIPP project so far. A State Department spokesperson stated that they were unable to provide additional details at this time.