PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's second president Robert Kocharyan said the TRIPP project - a route under U.S. oversight - "will become our greatest security threat," reports RFE/RL.

According to Kocharian, the initiative, officially presented as an Armenian-American project, in reality serves the interests of Azerbaijan and Turkey, while Armenia is not a full partner.

"TRIPP is an ArmenianAmerican project for Azerbaijan and Turkey: Armenia is not a party, it's halfinvolved," Kocharyan said.

He claimed the U.S. has no economic stake in the program; the only point of interest is Iran, which the U.S. is attempting to bring under control.

"This program may neutralize Iranian concerns if other countries join it," he added.

Speaking about the upcoming parliamentary elections, Kocharian said that the Hayastan alliance will choose its prime ministerial candidate through a public opinion poll.

"In early February we will conduct a sociological study and decide who will lead the alliance. If that poll determines it's me, then I will be. If another person, then they will. I would be very happy if it isn't me. I'd be freed from a great burden," he said.

Kocharian emphasized that current studies show he has the highest rating, but the final decision will depend on overall team effectiveness.

"Today, the publications in other media and other sociological studies show that yes, I am the most likely candidate to head the list, but to make a final decision, I need to understand how effective this will be for the whole team," he said.

He also said that some renewal of the alliance is planned.

"There will be some renewal; we just need to do it. New people will appear there and on the list," he said.

Kocharian addressed the issue of Azerbaijani gasoline imports, noting that price reductions are mainly connected to increased global oil supply.

"Prices have fallen because there have recently been significant increases in oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the United States and Canada, which has led to cheaper oil and thus cheaper petroleum products," he said.

He explained that Azerbaijan has only one oil refinery, which barely meets domestic demand.

"Azerbaijan has one oil refinery, and it barely satisfies Azerbaijan's needs; last year, it imported 120,000 tons of premium gasoline from Russia. Yes, it satisfies its diesel needs and can export a little. As to whether it's good or bad - it's good - but who does a greater favor: the buyer or the seller? The buyer. Excess money in Armenia goes to Azerbaijan," the former president said.

"Now if Russian gasoline is imported to Azerbaijan, then comes to Armenia labeled Azerbaijani gasoline. I call it propaganda fuel," he added.

Kocharyan also shared his views on current geopolitical developments, saying Armenia must do everything to avoid becoming a center of greatpower conflicts, reported Aravot.

He noted highly interesting processes and, evaluating the U.S. national security strategy, stated: "The United States itself is dismantling the world order it helped form, and that is reflected in its national security strategy."

Kocharian highlighted key points of that strategy, saying according to the U.S. approach the world is considered multipolar, abandoning ideological hegemony but not full dominance. China is recognized as the main competitor, while the U.S. is prepared to form some level of relations with Russia. Europe's role is depicted as less significant.

"And an interesting point for us: zero mention of the South Caucasus; this means the U.S. has no fundamental interests here - neither economic nor political," he said.

He also commented on approaches within the U.S. political leadership, emphasizing that the president effectively ignores international law, preferring his own moral standards. His foreign policy adviser, Miller, said the U.S. is the dominant power and does not intend to relinquish its position, and that civility in international relations is considered an outdated approach.

Kocharian linked these contradictory approaches and positions to the possibility of global destabilization.

"There must either be a great war, or the world must be **divided into spheres of influence. Trump is doing the second with controlled escalation," he said.

Asked what Armenia should do in such conditions, Kocharian replied that it is necessary to avoid being at the heart of international conflicts.

Referring to what positioning Armenia should have under such circumstances, Kocharian warned that the world has become more dangerous.

"Armenia must do everything to avoid finding itself at the point where great powers' interests collide. Last time I used this formulation: remember, a skilled captain does not take his ship into the ocean during a storm to avoid endangering both the ship and its crew, and this directly applies to the Republic of Armenia," he said.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 2026.

Source: PanArmenian.Net