The Hraparak newspaper wrote that the Democrats’ victory in the US midterm elections and the weakening of President Donald Trump’s position have caused alarm within the Armenian government. According to the publication, Yerevan is particularly concerned about the possibility that implementation of the TRIPP project could be halted. It was even reported that the US acting charge d’affaires in Armenia was summoned to parliament and informed of these concerns.
Could the Democrats’ victory pose a threat to the TRIPP project? How justified are Armenia’s concerns?
Globalinfo.az quoted lawyer Xəyal Bəşirov as saying that the Democrats’ landslide victory over the Republicans in the US midterm elections has caused serious concern in a number of regions and countries, as well as among individual political leaders.
According to him, there are certain grounds for this:
“During Donald Trump’s two years in power, traditional approaches in world politics changed and a different policy emerged. However, the steps he took and the promises he made did not lead to peace in the world; on the contrary, they triggered a number of serious chaotic processes.
This now creates the impression that states and political forces in different regions of the world are preparing for the post-Trump period. I believe this issue could also come to the fore in relation to the South Caucasus.
As for the TRIPP project, I think the project could lose relevance under this very name. This is because Congress has a fairly strong position on a number of issues, particularly processes related to opening corridors. Through budget allocations, investigations and other mechanisms, Congress has considerable influence over these processes.”
Xəyal Bəşirov
The lawyer believes Armenia’s concerns are not unfounded:
“The TRIPP project could become history. But this is not about opening the route; it is specifically about calling that route TRIPP. In other words, it concerns linking the project to Donald Trump’s name.
In line with the new realities emerging in the South Caucasus, connecting Azerbaijan’s main territory with Nakhchivan is a historical necessity. We have always said this, and this route must be opened. This is because it has historically been a route. That route was known as the Zangezur corridor. In accordance with current realities, we call it the Zangezur corridor.
TRIPP or the Trump route may be presented under different names. However, I think this naming may not be particularly important to the current US Congress and the Democrats.”
X. Bəşirov believes serious problems could arise in this matter:
“The United States may no longer be interested in opening that route in the way Donald Trump wanted. Most likely, we will witness this.
The Armenian side’s next political game also draws attention. They agreed to this issue in the statement of November 9, 2020, then pursued parallel processes with the United States and also played certain games with Iran. They took steps towards opening a green corridor with Iran. Now, Iran’s warning to Armenia and its statement that it will not accept US participation are not accidental. All this is the result of Armenia’s double policy.”
Xəyal Bəşirov said that opening the Zangezur corridor does not depend on political processes related to the TRIPP project:
“There are legal and historical grounds for opening the route to connect Azerbaijan’s main territory with Nakhchivan. It is impossible to put forward a substantiated position against this. As for the TRIPP project, Armenia-US relations and the implementation of projects put forward at Donald Trump’s initiative, yes, these could be under threat. This may be linked to the results of the US midterm elections, and there are serious grounds for this.”
Zaira Akifqızı
Globalinfo.az
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