TRIPP is a necessary condition for implementing large investment projects - OPINION

The TRIPP project (Trump's Route for International Peace and Prosperity initiative) is a necessary condition for the implementation of large investment projects.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this was stated by Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, political observer Ilgar Velizade in a comment to Report.

Note that the TRIPP project includes a 42-kilometer section of the Zangezur Corridor, which will pass through the territory of Armenia.

According to the expert, the TRIPP initiative fits organically into the concept of the Zangezur transport corridor, which is the key to its success.

"If Azerbaijan does not open communications with Armenia, there will be no TRIPP. Azerbaijan aims to create a sustainable transport network connecting the western regions of the country with the Nakhchivan exclave and further with access to Turkey. In this context, US assistance in ensuring unhindered communication between the two parts of Azerbaijan logically fits into the concept of the Zangezur Corridor," the expert noted.

According to the analyst, this concept can be successfully implemented in the two largest transport routes that are being formed in this part of Eurasia.

"We are talking about the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, TITR) and the North-South project. This was repeatedly mentioned by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, noting the prospects for the development of this route [Zangezur Corridor - ed.]. Such transport projects usually have a geopolitical dimension, as they affect the interests of many countries, particularly Central Asian states. The recent 'Central Asia plus the United States' summit (C5+1 format), held on November 6 in Washington, and US President Donald Trump's statement on the TRIPP corridor confirm that this project will become part of the broad transport connectivity between the regions of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Western Asia," I. Velizade explained.

He added that TRIPP fits well into the concept of forming a single economic space in this region: "Everything now depends on practical actions - it is important not to delay implementation. There are interests of the United States, Central Asia, and naturally Azerbaijan. We would like Armenia to also take into account all these circumstances and understand its own benefits in order to intensify work towards the implementation of this project," the analyst added.

According to him, Azerbaijan is a key link in this large project.

"We are talking not only about TRIPP, but also about larger initiatives connecting the regions of Eurasia. Here, the interests of key players on the continent coincide, which increases the geopolitical importance of Azerbaijan as a connecting link between various countries, including competing ones. Judging by the reaction of other states, Azerbaijan is perceived by them as a reliable partner with whom they are ready to implement long-term projects," the observer explained.

I. Velizade noted that TRIPP is considered an important condition for the implementation of large investment projects, in which not only countries of the region show interest, but also external players - the United States and the European Union

"The EU has been actively involved in processes in the South Caucasus and Central Asia in recent years. The parties have agreed on a number of initiatives that allow for the implementation of large-scale transport, economic, and investment projects, including the development of rare earth metals," the analyst note