Who Will Protect Armenia’s Sovereignty if Azerbaijanis Cross Through Syunik?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan faced sharp questions in parliament regarding the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project and its possible implications for Armenia’s sovereignty. Opposition members voiced strong concerns that the initiative could give Azerbaijan access through Armenian territory, potentially affecting Armenia’s security and independence.

Pashinyan presented a photocopy of a document signed in Washington, noting that it affirms mutual recognition of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He emphasized that the TRIPP project is primarily an Armenia–U.S. matter, but acknowledged that it also involves regional communications, including with Azerbaijan.

This raised concerns among MPs, who warned that such projects must not compromise Armenia’s control over its borders. Opposition MP Agnesa Khamoyan directly asked whether Armenian border guards would inspect Azerbaijani passports, whether customs officers would check Azerbaijani cargo, and whether Armenian courts would have jurisdiction if crimes were committed by Azerbaijanis on Armenian soil.

Instead of directly confirming these responsibilities, Pashinyan referred to “modern technologies” used in other countries, such as automated systems for border checks. He argued that Armenia should adopt advanced methods, avoiding outdated practices of physical inspections.

While this answer reflected an attempt to present Armenia as a modern state, many in parliament saw it as insufficient. Khamoyan warned that without clear guarantees of Armenian control, the road could turn into a “backyard for Azerbaijanis” rather than remain under full Armenian jurisdiction.

For many Armenians, the memory of losing Artsakh and witnessing the displacement of its Armenian population remains painful. That history makes any proposal involving Azerbaijani passage through Syunik highly sensitive. The opposition insists that all measures must ensure Armenia’s sovereignty, security, and legal authority over its land and borders.

The debate over the TRIPP project shows a broader challenge: how Armenia can balance international cooperation with the United States while safeguarding its national interests in the face of ongoing Azerbaijani pressure. For Armenia, protecting sovereignty and ensuring that any agreement strengthens—not weakens—national security remains the highest priority.

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