Pashinyan confirmed plans to change the concession model for Armenia's railways
27.05.2026,
16:27
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated his intention to change the logic of railway concession management so that "sanction restrictions do not hinder the development of the railway system."
YEREVAN, May 27. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated his intention to change the logic of railway concession management so that "sanction restrictions do not hinder the development of the railway system."
Since 2008, South Caucasus Railways (SCR), a subsidiary of Russian Railways, has been the concessionaire for the Armenian railways for a period of 30 years.
"Armenia already has a ready-made railway, and it is precisely this that needs to be utilized," Pashinyan said on Wednesday during a pre-election meeting with residents of the village of Goght in the Kotayk region.
According to him, following research, the government has concluded that the problem is related to the current concession model for the management of Armenia's railways.
"Since Armenia's railways are under Russian concession, and Russia has complex sanctions relations with Western countries, Western countries are seeking ways to circumvent this," Pashinyan noted.
The Prime Minister emphasized that international companies are seeking to avoid sanctions risks and are seeking safe routes.
Pashinyan also stated that the next step is expected to be the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and the railway. "In any case, the flow of goods from east to west is so great that I am confident that our railway will operate at high capacity and generate significant revenue for the Republic of Armenia," Pashinyan said.
He previously stated that Armenia does not intend to take any steps behind Russia's back or in defiance of it regarding the possible transfer of the concession for Armenian railways to Kazakhstan.
Since 2008, South Caucasus Railways (SCR), a subsidiary of Russian Railways, has been the concessionaire for the Armenian railways for a period of 30 years.
"Armenia already has a ready-made railway, and it is precisely this that needs to be utilized," Pashinyan said on Wednesday during a pre-election meeting with residents of the village of Goght in the Kotayk region.
According to him, following research, the government has concluded that the problem is related to the current concession model for the management of Armenia's railways.
"Since Armenia's railways are under Russian concession, and Russia has complex sanctions relations with Western countries, Western countries are seeking ways to circumvent this," Pashinyan noted.
The Prime Minister emphasized that international companies are seeking to avoid sanctions risks and are seeking safe routes.
Pashinyan also stated that the next step is expected to be the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and the railway. "In any case, the flow of goods from east to west is so great that I am confident that our railway will operate at high capacity and generate significant revenue for the Republic of Armenia," Pashinyan said.
He previously stated that Armenia does not intend to take any steps behind Russia's back or in defiance of it regarding the possible transfer of the concession for Armenian railways to Kazakhstan.
