Deputy PM: Russia, Armenia begin talks on railway links to Azerbaijan, Türkiye

Russia and Armenia have launched discussions on restoring two railway sections to connect with the rail networks of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said.

The move follows a request from the Armenian side. The two stretches under consideration, located near Yeraskh and Akhuryan, measure 1.6 km and 12.4 km respectively, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

According to Overchuk, technical, financial, and other aspects of the project will be defined during the negotiations.

"Restoring these railway sections will enable Russia to establish direct rail links with Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Türkiye—providing access to Mediterranean ports—and Iran, with access to ports on the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean,” he said.

The project forms part of a broader strategy to expand Russia’s regional connectivity and trade routes, potentially enhancing links to key transport corridors across the South Caucasus and beyond.

Previously, Davit Khudatyan, Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, said reconstruction on key sections, including Ijevan and Akhuryan, will be carried out with direct Russian participation. This follows Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s directive to urgently reopen border railway lines.

Planned projects include the Razdan–Ijevan–Gazakh–Agstafa route ($318 million), Yeraskh–Goradiz line ($61.5 million), and Gyumri–Akhuryan section ($8–9 million), with total railway repair costs estimated at around $500 million.

By Aghakazim Guliyev