Yerevan seeks to restore railway link to Turkish border

Armenia is in talks with Russian partners over the construction of a railway to the Turkish border, but is prepared to consider alternative options if no agreement is reached, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told reporters.

“Armenia has a historic opportunity to become an alternative trade and transit link between East and West. This flow of goods will exist one way or another, and we have a historic chance to become a key hub, and we will not miss it. Therefore, this issue must be resolved. The section of railway that is missing—and because of which the Gyumri–Kars line is not functioning—must be built. We are currently in talks with our Russian colleagues: if we manage to build it together, we will; if not, we will find another solution, but this issue must be resolved,” he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenian authorities intend to independently restore railway infrastructure toward the borders with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. According to him, work is expected to begin soon on the Gyumri–Akhurik and Akhurik–Turkish border sections.

On February 13, 2008, a concession agreement was signed in Yerevan between Russian Railways and Armenia, transferring the country’s railway system to the management of the South Caucasus Railway. The document provides a 30-year concession period with the option of a 10-year extension after the first 20 years, subject to mutual agreement.

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on December 22, 2025, Pashinyan emphasised the need to restore Armenia’s railway links with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. In particular, the Armenian side proposed that Russian partners carry out restoration work on sections from Yeraskh to the Azerbaijani border, from Akhurik to the Turkish border, as well as on the Ijevan line.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk previously stated that Russian specialists are ready to promptly restore the necessary railway segments, with a total length of about 12–13 kilometres, to reconnect Armenia’s rail network with neighbouring countries.

“This request has been considered at the highest level in Russia, and a positive response has been given—we support the friendly people of Armenia, the restoration of these two sections meets our national interests, and we are, of course, ready for the relevant negotiations,” Overchuk said.

By Jeyhun Aghazada