Pashinyan says Armenia seeking deal with Russia on railway restoration

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia will continue discussions with Russia to find a mutually beneficial solution regarding the country’s railway infrastructure, warning that unused rail sections cannot be allowed to deteriorate into “scrap metal.”

Speaking during a briefing, Pashinyan acknowledged that some issues in Armenian-Russian relations have created “some tension,” including the management of Armenia’s railways, which operate under a Russian concession agreement, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.  

According to the Armenian premier, the government is determined to preserve and restore infrastructure with major transit potential.

“We will also work with our Russian colleagues to find mutually beneficial solutions,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister noted that Armenia cannot allow parts of its railway network to remain abandoned and degrade over time.

Earlier, during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Pashinyan raised the issue of restoring railway connections linking Armenia with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. He also proposed involving Russian companies in reconstruction work on certain sections of the network.

Pashinyan later said the Armenian government is prepared to independently begin restoring railway lines leading to the borders with Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

By Sabina Mammadli