Mirrorspectator/YEREVAN — “Dear all, who knows whether the Iranian checkpoint is already open?” asks a Syunik resident in a Facebook group. “No,” “no,” “no,” “not yet,” users respond in the comments.
Unlike superpowers interested in oil, ordinary citizens of Armenia are interested in when the war in Iran will end so that they can go buy cheap cooking oil and washing powder there.
Just a few months ago, at least in Armenia, there was an impression that high-speed trains would soon be running via “Trump’s Route.” This project seemed more realistic especially after the visit of US Vice President JD Vance, but the war that broke out in Iran overshadowed everything and, as they say, there are bigger fish to fry.
Against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in Armenia, those with pro-Russian and pro-Western orientations are actively arguing and discussing this topic. So, where is your America, where did the TRIPP project disappear? some experts in Armenia ask. One side says that it is disastrous for Armenia. The other side claims that it will provide security guarantees for the country and offers the prospect of great economic opportunities, while the US Department announced that we haven’t forgotten – just wait a “little bit.”
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The Trump administration remains committed to implementing the Trump’s Route to International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, a spokesperson for the US State Department said in response to an inquiry by Armenpress.
At an April 11 meeting in Gabala, Azerbaijan, between Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society representatives, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s assistant Hikmet Hajiyev declared: “The implementation of the TRIPP project promises new opportunities for Armenia as a transit country. At a time when global developments — often described as resembling a Third World War — and the ongoing situation in the Middle East underscore the importance of established peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”
When people talk about TRIPP, it is immediately associated with Armenia’s Syunik, through which “Trump’s Route” is supposed to pass. But the fact is that on the ground it is Iranian construction companies that are building infrastructure there, digging tunnels and laying bridges and roads. As a result of the war that broke out in Iran, a slowdown in construction is observed today, although the Armenian government assures that it will be completed. In any case, it is natural that for Iran today the priority is to restore the infrastructure damaged by the US and Israeli strikes in its own country. The war in Iran cannot but have a negative impact on Armenia, especially since it seems that it has not yet been resolved.
While the rusty wagons from the early 1990s continue to stand at the Meghri railway station, Armenia has announced the restoration of the planes at the Syunik airport. A small Czech plane for 18 passengers will again operate flights on the Yerevan-Kapan-Yerevan route. The ticket price is 20,000 Armenian drams.
“Dear citizens, starting today, Kapan-Yerevan-Kapan flights resume, with a frequency of 5 days a week,” the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia informs.
Recently, news has also emerged about planes with longer wings. Turkish Airlines started operating flights on the route Istanbul–Yerevan–Istanbul.
“Flights on the route Istanbul–Yerevan–Istanbul will be operated daily. Starting from May 14, the frequency will increase to 10 flights per week, and from June 15 — to 14 flights per week,” http://Zvartnots.aero informs.
“Turks and Armenians should be friends. Türkiye must be gate to the world for Armenians,” “Good news. Hopefully more business and cultural exchange will follow. Next should be visa free travel,” “I wish Armenians would visit Türkiye and see there is no hostility against Armenians in Türkiye like hostility against Turkish in Armenia,” “Turkey will be flooded with these peasants now. This will serve no interest of Turkey. Just close the borders and cancel flights. Let them pay more and take a longer route,” people post under my tweet.
After what is happening in Ukraine and the Middle East, especially in Iran, which is at Armenia’s front steps, what is left for little Armenia to do but remain silent and motionless and wait, like the gondola cars in the Meghri railway station?
Photo by Marut Vanyan: The Araks River is at the border of Armenia and Iran
Marut Vanyan
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