Pashinyan, Aliyev Meet in Kyrgyzstan to Advance TRIPP, Trade and Peace Process

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met for about an hour Monday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — where they discussed the next steps for the U.S.-backed TRIPP project, expanding bilateral trade and efforts to build on agreements reached at their Washington peace summit earlier this month.

The Aug. 31 meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, according to the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office.

Pashinyan and Aliyev reviewed the agreements reached in Washington on Aug. 8, where they signed a joint declaration in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. Armenia and Azerbaijan also initialed an agreement on establishing peace and interstate relations.

Much of the discussion in Bishkek focused on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, known as TRIPP. The leaders discussed practical steps needed to move the project forward and the role new transportation links could play in improving regional connectivity.

Economic ties were also on the agenda as Armenia and Azerbaijan explore forms of cooperation that would have been difficult to envision during decades of conflict.

The leaders discussed Azerbaijani petroleum product exports to Armenia, the transit of grain and other goods from third countries through Azerbaijan to Armenia, and the establishment of direct trade between the two countries. They described those developments as practical ways to reinforce the peace process.

Pashinyan and Aliyev also welcomed contacts between Armenian and Azerbaijani business communities and discussed the potential for broader cooperation in trade, energy and other economic sectors.

Border delimitation remains another part of the normalization process. The leaders backed continued work by the Armenian and Azerbaijani commissions responsible for defining the state border, in line with agreements already reached between the two governments.

They also welcomed contacts between lawmakers and civil society representatives from the two countries, saying such exchanges could help build trust and support the wider peace process.

Pashinyan and Aliyev agreed to continue direct talks as Armenia and Azerbaijan work toward a lasting settlement, normalized interstate relations and greater regional connectivity.

Before meeting Aliyev, Pashinyan held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bishkek. The two discussed expanding Armenia-India cooperation in technology, health care, pharmaceuticals, education, infrastructure, investment, tourism and other economic sectors. They also discussed regional developments, including TRIPP.

Pashinyan is in Kyrgyzstan for a two-day working visit and is scheduled to participate in the SCO+ meeting and other events held alongside the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

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