Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at the second Global Gateway Forum in Brussels that, for the first time in modern history, the South Caucasus is both politically and logistically prepared to unlock its unused potential and integrate into broader, seamless connectivity between Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Describing the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, also known as the TRIPP initiative, Pashinyan called it a promising investment platform that opens up wide-ranging cooperation opportunities across sectors such as railways and energy.
He said now is the ideal time for the European Union to deepen its involvement in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, and that Armenia is prepared to act as a bridge between the regions, promoting not only physical infrastructure but also interoperability in digital, energy, regulatory, and institutional spheres with the EU.
According to Pashinyan, Armenia–EU relations have never been closer, and this evolving partnership presents a unique chance for Armenia to take part on a deeper, strategic level in Europe’s expanding connectivity vision, including Global Gateway, the Black Sea Strategy, the Middle Corridor, and the Trans-European Transport Network.
He noted the symbolism of Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative being launched during the first Global Gateway Forum, reflecting the country’s vision of becoming a key link in east–west and north–south connectivity.
“As a landlocked country, we fully understand the value of inclusive and fair connectivity. For decades, the lack of such links has hampered Armenia’s development and regional integration,” he said.
He added that under the current positive dynamics in Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks and Armenia-Turkey normalization, the Crossroads of Peace initiative is becoming a reality, with the potential to reshape not just the South Caucasus but a much broader region.
At the August 8 Peace Summit in Washington, Armenia and Azerbaijan, with support from President Trump, reached agreements on unblocking regional infrastructure, based on principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, inviolability of borders, jurisdiction, and reciprocity. Armenia and the U.S., along with third parties to be determined, will implement the TRIPP project, which is expected to significantly enhance connectivity across and beyond the region, fully aligned with the Crossroads of Peace vision.
During the forum, Pashinyan held brief talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President João Lourenço of Angola, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
