Thursday, August 13 2026 15:55
Alina Hovhannisyan

Russian railway concession hinders Armenia`s integration into  international transport network - Pashinyan

Russian railway concession hinders Armenia`s integration into  international transport network - Pashinyan

ArmInfo. Russia's refusal to transfer the concession management rights of Armenia's railway creates obstacles for the country's integration into the  international transport network, as stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a press briefing on August 13.

Pashinyan noted that Armenia wants to find a friendly solution with  Russia to mutually align each other's interests and reach  compromises. Such a compromise, according to the head of government,  could include the partial or full sale of concession rights, or  specific shareholder configurations where ownership distribution  would not impede Armenia's historic opportunity to integrate into  global logistics.

The Prime Minister emphasized that he has nothing against a Russian  company managing the Armenian railway and respects Russia's  interests, but pointed out that the current situation creates  barriers for Armenia. Specifically, he explained that countries  heavily reliant on international logistics services see no investment  appeal in Armenia.

"We offer them the opportunity to consider the opportunities that  exist, but they avoid doing so. It becomes clear that the problem is  our railway being under Russian concession management. In other  words, we have no problem with Russia our problem is with the  situation," the prime minister attempted to explain.