Why Armenia’s railway is vulnerable in international discourse: Prime Minister accuses Russia
RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that Armenia is losing strategic positions and competitive advantages due to Russia’s management of the railway. He made these remarks during a briefing with journalists following the primary voting for the “Civil Contract” party’s pre-election list. He also addressed the operation of the railway within the framework of the “Trump Way” project and the restoration of certain sections by Russia.
Pashinyan noted that there are forces proposing that the railway, which enters Nakhichevan after Meghri, should bypass Armenia. He emphasized that international partners are raising the question of how the railway can bypass Armenia, given that it is Armenia’s property, even if it is under Russian management. Pashinyan did not provide details regarding which forces he was referring to.
The Prime Minister stated that relations between Armenia and Russia are currently quite strained, and the authorities have repeatedly explained that the railway is located in Armenia and belongs to it.
He added that, in his view, the solution is for a country that maintains friendly relations with both Russia and Armenia to directly purchase the concessional management rights from Russia. As examples, he mentioned Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Qatar.
Pashinyan emphasized that the Armenian authorities do not wish to oppose Russia in any way, but currently, due to the management of the railway, our country is losing its strategic positions.
Armenia’s railway infrastructure was handed over to the concessional management of the SCR (South Caucasus Railway) in 2008 for 30 years, with an option to extend the contract for another 10 years.
It should be noted that RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a 7-point joint declaration in Washington on August 8, 2025. According to this declaration, it is planned to create a strategic transit route through the southern part of Armenia—the Syunik region—which will allow Azerbaijan commercial access to Nakhichevan.
