Vice Speaker: Armenia, Türkiye set to discuss resumption of Gyumri-Kars railway operations

Representatives from the relevant ministries of Armenia and Türkiye are set to meet shortly to assess the conditions for resuming operations on the Gyumri-Kars railway.

This was announced by Ruben Rubinyan, the Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and special envoy for negotiations with Türkiye, during an interview with the radio station "Liberty," Caliber.Az reports.

Rubinyan noted that while the specific date for the meeting has yet to be determined, it aims to build on previous collaborative efforts, such as the joint study conducted on the Margara Bridge.

He emphasised that this forthcoming meeting will focus on evaluating the necessary conditions to restart the Gyumri-Kars railway service.

The discussions are seen as a significant step towards enhancing transportation links between the two countries.

Notably, during the recent 3+3 ministerial meeting in Istanbul, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan underscored the significance of commencing the Gyumri-Kars railway line. He noted that following a joint evaluation of the bridge condition between Armenia and Türkiye, Armenia has successfully completed the construction and technical arrangements for the Margara border checkpoint on the Armenian-Turkish border.

He further emphasised that the launch of the Gyumri-Kars railway, along with the railway connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan, would enhance communication between the Persian Gulf and the Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean Seas.

Mirzoyan expressed Armenia's genuine interest in this initiative, reiterating the country's commitment to developing regional communications and strengthening neighbourly ties in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, particularly regarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, border inviolability, and political independence.

By Aghakazim Guliyev