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Media: Armenian PM signs MoU with US to control Zangezur corridor

23 July 2025 13:42 (UTC +04:00)

The Spanish publication Periodista Digital has claimed that it has obtained a secret memorandum on the Zangezur corridor and that this document was approved by Armenia and the United States, APA reports.

The publication calls the Zangezur Corridor the "Trump Bridge Transport Corridor".

99-year corridor agreement

The article states that the Armenian diaspora has become familiar with the contents of the document.

According to the information, the project of a bilateral regional economic corridor and defense corridor is discussed here: "This is a 42-kilometer transport corridor passing through the Syunik region of Armenia. The corridor connects Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan, which has a strategic position on the border of Armenia and Iran. The creation of this corridor was one of the main demands of Azerbaijan after the 2020 war. Armenia has made efforts to prevent the creation of this corridor, as it could lead to the loss of a large part of Armenia's territory. According to the document, Armenia retains sovereignty over the Syunik region, but despite this, it is clear that the transport corridor will be managed by a private US company, which has received the necessary license. The distribution of income from the use of the corridor is reflected in this agreement. The American company will receive 40 percent of the income, and Armenia will receive 30 percent. Thus, Armenia will be deprived of its territory for a minimum of 99 years," the article noted.

Security will be provided by a US company

The article also notes that the memorandum also includes the deployment of American military forces to Armenian territory: "According to the information received, these will not be ordinary American troops; they will be members of a US private military company. It is believed that the number of these forces will be about 1,000 people, and they will be responsible for ensuring security along the corridor."

It is reported that, according to the memorandum, the private company can use force to protect the corridor.

According to the publication, the border will initially be guarded by troops without heavy weapons.

France and the EU are worried

“The Armenia–U.S. memorandum is a disaster for Armenia. The U.S. occupation will not solve this small country's problems. Only the U.S. and Türkiye will benefit from it. The European Union will also lose Armenia. Armenia will no longer be a partner of France and the EU, as the country will be occupied by American proxies. For France, the consolidation of U.S. forces in Armenia is a negative development. France’s strategic position in Armenia is based on historical foundations. The largest Armenian diaspora in Europe is also located in France. France had strengthened its role in the regional peace process and co-chaired the OSCE Minsk Group for many years. The implementation of the 'Trump Bridge' project will be a blow to France’s role. In fact, the U.S. is creating a situation in which Armenia loses its voting rights, and France loses its ability to protect its interests in the region,” the article concludes.

Regional Security

Note that the U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, told journalists in New York that his country has offered to take control of the Zangezur Corridor. According to him, the United States proposed to oversee the 32-kilometer-long Zangezur Corridor for a period of 100 years. “This way, both sides will be able to use the corridor,” the diplomat said.

Recall that reports had previously circulated suggesting that a U.S. company would be put in charge of the Zangezur Corridor. Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mnatsakan Safaryan, stated that the process must take place within the framework of Armenia’s sovereignty, jurisdiction, and territorial integrity.