Azerbaijan could secure its long-sought transport connection to Nakhijevan before signing the so-called peace agreement with Armenia, while the timeline and enforcement of reciprocal transport access for Armenia remain unresolved.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan acknowledged in parliament on October 27 that TRIPP could become operational before the agreement is signed, raising questions over what leverage Armenia would retain once Baku obtains its desired connection.
Opposition lawmaker Narek Karapetyan warned that once Azerbaijan secures access to Nakhichevan, it could lose its incentive to open transport routes benefiting Armenia.
Mirzoyan rejected the concern, arguing that mutual economic interests would encourage both countries to fulfill their commitments. He maintained that Azerbaijan could not benefit from TRIPP while denying Armenia comparable access, but did not identify a specific legal enforcement mechanism.
Under the August 8, 2025 Washington declaration, Armenia committed to facilitating unimpeded connectivity between Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan, alongside reciprocal transport benefits for Armenia. However, the declaration does not establish a binding timetable requiring both sides to open their respective routes simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to condition its signature on the initialed agreement on amendments to Armenia’s Constitution.
Despite the unresolved agreement, Pashinyan’s government is advancing TRIPP under a separate U.S.-Armenia framework, with a planned development company that would be 74% U.S.-owned and 26% Armenian-owned.
Parliamentary scrutiny was also limited to two hours. Of the 27 lawmakers who registered to question Mirzoyan, only three were able to speak.
With the agreement still unsigned and reciprocal access unresolved, a central question remains: what leverage will Armenia retain once Azerbaijan secures the transport connection it has demanded for years?
