Russia denies talks on Armenian railway concession transfer to Kazakhstan

Russia has denied reports that it is negotiating the transfer of Armenia’s railway concession to Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of Transport affirmed that no deliberations of this nature are underway, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“I can say that, firstly, we do not plan to grant any concessions to anyone. Secondly, at the official level, our colleagues—our partners in Armenia—have not discussed these matters with us,” Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin said.

The clarification comes after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan indicated that Yerevan would not oppose a Kazakh company managing the railways, provided an agreement is reached with Russia.

Armenia originally transferred its railway infrastructure in 2008 to a subsidiary of Russian Railways under a 30-year concession, with the option to extend for an additional 10 years.

By Vafa Guliyeva