Armenia and the United States signed a strategic partnership charter.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan signed a charter establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries and initialed a framework agreement on the "Trump Route" project.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on May 24, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that the opening of railway links between Armenia and Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and then Armenia and Iran via Nakhichevan, is expected "in the near future." "We will witness these events in the near future as a result of the implementation of the TRIPP project," Pashinyan said.
The Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) will connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan through a section of southern Armenia (Syunik/Zangezur province) and then continue north (Azerbaijan, Georgia) and west (Turkey). It became a key element of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed in August 2025 in Washington with the participation of President Donald Trump. In the future, the route will be integrated with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which links China with Europe. The length of the Armenian section is estimated at 27 miles (or 42 kilometers), according to the Caucasian Knot report "Trump Route" (TRIPP): Transport Corridor through Armenia".
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Yerevan today on a short visit, met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and signed a charter on strategic partnership between the two countries. The signing ceremony took place at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport.
The charter, the text of which was published on the official website of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, reaffirms the importance of bilateral relations and the desire to deepen cooperation in various areas, including diplomacy, economics, energy, high technology, education, science, culture, law, defense, and security. The document declares that the parties are developing cooperation based on shared democratic values.
During Rubio's visit to Yerevan, the parties also initialed a framework agreement on the "Trump Route" project, which envisages the creation of a transport link between Azerbaijan and its exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, through Armenia. Furthermore, a framework memorandum "On ensuring supplies in the field of mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements" was signed between the United States and Armenia, the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.
During the meeting, Ararat Mirzoyan stated that relations "between Armenia and the United States are stronger today than ever." He also emphasized that Marco Rubio's visit to Yerevan is not connected to the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7.
In turn, Rubio, speaking to reporters, called the bilateral agreement initialed today "one of the most significant steps" in implementing the TRIPP project. "This is the path to peace and prosperity in Armenia and the region. However, our cooperation is not limited to the TRIPP project. This administration's priority is to develop our relations not only within the TRIPP framework, but in all other areas," Panorama.am quotes the US Secretary of State as saying.
He expressed his support for Nikol Pashinyan, who is actively campaigning for the presidency. "And you, Prime Minister, the entire Armenian team—you are paving the way for a brighter, more independent future for Armenia. And we are pleased to express our support for this vision, this courage, this dedication and commitment for the future of your country," Rubio said, addressing Mirzoyan.
Elections to the National Assembly of Armenia will be held on June 7. According to analysts, the parties of Samvel Karapetyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and former President Robert Kocharyan will be key competitors in the elections. Samvel Karapetyan's "Strong Armenia," along with Robert Kocharyan's "Armenia" bloc and Gagik Tsarukyan's "Prosperous Armenia" party, is one of the most pro-Russian parties in the Armenian parliamentary elections. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report titled "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia."