Pashinyan urges Russia to allow third-country railway concession

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called on Russia to show flexibility and allow the concession rights to Armenia’s railway to be transferred to a third country acceptable to both Yerevan and Moscow.

Speaking in Armenia’s National Assembly, Pashinyan said the railway remains Armenian property but is currently managed by Russian Railways, warning that the arrangement could prevent Armenia from taking advantage of a planned international transport link, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“The railway is the property of Armenia; it is merely managed by Russian Railways. We respect Russia and its interests, but because the Armenian Railways are under Russian management, we are now at risk of missing this historic opportunity to integrate Armenia into the international railway network. We cannot afford to let this historic opportunity slip through. TRIPP does not entail any foreign military or armed presence,” Pashinyan stated.

Pashinyan said Armenia was seeking an arrangement under which a third country acceptable to both Armenia and Russia would assume the concession rights, describing the move as necessary to advance the country’s integration into international transport networks.

By Sabina Mammadli