US Vice President Vance to Visit Armenia and Azerbaijan in February, Advancing Trump’s Peace Initiative
Yerevan, January 25 – US Vice President J.D. Vance is set to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan in February, a development confirmed by former US President Donald Trump. The visit, announced by Trump following a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Davos, aims to assess the situation and outline future steps in the South Caucasus region.
Trump, in his statement, expressed gratitude to both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for upholding the peace agreement signed in August. He emphasized that what he described as a “brutal war” is now concluded, and the regional agenda should shift from conflict to “prosperity and peace.”
“Trump’s International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) Pathway”
The former president explicitly stated that Vice President Vance would visit both Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue and advance peace efforts under the “Trump’s International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) Pathway.” Trump also highlighted plans for a “beautiful agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation” with Armenia, alongside economic initiatives, including deals with American semiconductor manufacturers.
Former Member of the National Assembly Arman Babajanyan, who had previously hinted at Vance’s visit in late December, underscored the significance of this opportunity for Armenia. In a Facebook post, Babajanyan stated, “This is an opportunity for Armenia to move relations with the US into a field of much more concrete results: security, energy, technology, investments, and regional communications. We are obliged to get the maximum from Vance’s visit with a clear national agenda, measurable tasks and solutions, and real protection of our interests.”
Security and Partnership in the Region
Babajanyan further elaborated on the US’s focus on security and partnership in the region, asserting that Armenia should also have a genuine opportunity to acquire modern defense means and technologies to strengthen its army’s defensive capabilities. He concluded, “Armenia’s task is one: to quickly convert the American political impulse into clear agreements, agreements into applicable tools, and tools into real defense capability, economic breath, and stable development.”
The upcoming visit by Vice President Vance is expected to be a pivotal moment for the South Caucasus, potentially fostering new avenues for cooperation and solidifying the peace process initiated by the August agreement. The discussions are anticipated to cover a broad range of topics, from security and economic development to technological advancements and regional stability.
Source: Arman Babajanyan’s Facebook post
