FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Melissa Brown, mbrown@usea.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Energy Association (USEA) today issued a statement commending the ongoing efforts to operationalize the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) Implementation Framework (TIF). This statement comes as Vice President J.D. Vance arrives in the region this week to reinforce U.S. commitment to the historic peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“USEA is encouraged by the steady progress being made to translate diplomatic breakthroughs into concrete regional infrastructure,” said USEA President & CEO Mark Menezes. “The transition from abstract commitments to an implementation plan is a testament to the ongoing dedication of the United States, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to fostering a durable peace through economic integration.”

The TIF, signed in January 2026, serves as a practical roadmap for the commitments made during the August 8, 2025, Washington Summit. By establishing unimpeded multimodal transit through Armenian territory, the framework creates a vital link in the Trans-Caspian Trade Route while fully respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all parties.

USEA has long supported this initiative as a cornerstone of regional stability. Reinforcing this commitment, USEA published a policy brief titled “Powering Peace: The United States and Energy Connectivity in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Agreements.” The report details how energy projects act as a foundation for regional integration and highlights how the August 8, 2025, accord places connectivity at the center of normalizing relations.

"I am encouraged by the beginning of discussions to connect power grids in the Southern Caucasus, which will open opportunities for U.S. investment and improve the region's energy security," said Will Polen, USEA Senior Director.

Furthering its active engagement, USEA hosted the October 2025 forum, Navigating the Nexus: New Horizons for Peace & Trade in the South Caucasus. This in-person event brought together experts and policymakers to explore the strategic, economic, and humanitarian implications of this new era, underscoring USEA's role in facilitating the dialogue necessary to move these historic developments forward.