Armenian PM urges restoration of Armenia–Azerbaijan–Türkiye railway

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has highlighted the importance of restoring railway lines connecting Armenia with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, describing the recent arrival of trains from Russia via Azerbaijani territory as a “truly historic event.”

Speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin at an informal CIS summit in Saint Petersburg, Pashinyan said the development opens up new opportunities, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

“The agenda for restoring other railway sections in our country has also matured,” he noted, referring specifically to the routes in Ijevan, Yeraskh, and Akhurik.

“These are the railways that link Armenia with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Active political processes are underway. I cannot say there are already political decisions to reopen these lines, but I believe the situation has reached the point where preparatory work needs to begin.”

On December 19, an Azerbaijan Railways freight train transported 1,220 tonnes of AI-95 petrol in 22 wagons to Beyuk Kesik station, before passing through Georgia en route to Armenia, Caliber.Az reports.

The delivery follows a November 28 agreement between Azerbaijani and Armenian deputy prime ministers and reflects expanding regional transit cooperation, which earlier included grain shipments from Kazakhstan and Russia.

By Aghakazim Guliyev