Armenia Celebrates 35 Years of Independence, Spotlighting US Partnerships and the TRIPP Corridor

Marking the 35th anniversary of its independence, Armenia's ambassador to the United States, Narek Mkrtchyan, recounted the nation's turbulent post-Soviet history and the 2018 non-violent revolution that reinforced democratic institutions. He credited the Washington Declaration, negotiated by Donald Trump, with ending the long-standing conflict with Azerbaijan and unlocking new economic opportunities. Recent milestones include a $4 billion joint venture with Nvidia and Firebird to produce AI chips, and a series of memoranda on semiconductors, critical minerals and energy.

Mkrtchyan emphasized Armenia's policy of diversifying partners—maintaining a strategic relationship with Russia while seeking deeper ties with the U.S., Europe and Central Asia. Central to this effort is the TRIPP project, a U.S.-Armenian-co-owned transit corridor slated for a feasibility study and groundbreaking in early 2027, backed by over $200 million in U.S. funding. He also highlighted the role of the Armenian diaspora and institutions like the American University of Armenia in fostering human capital and bilateral cooperation.