Railways must serve Armenia's interests: Pashinyan on the status of South Caucasus Railways
02.07.2026,
19:53
Railways are the property of the Republic of Armenia and must serve the country's interests, stated RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, commenting on negotiations with the Russian side on the concession of the Armenian Railways.
YEREVAN, July 2. /ARKA/. Railways are the property of the Republic of Armenia and must serve the country's interests, stated RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, commenting on negotiations with the Russian side on the concession of the Armenian Railways.
He confirmed that Yerevan's position on the management of the Armenian Railways remains unchanged.
"It is impossible to reconsider the approach, but on the other hand, we also do not intend to reconsider what we have stated," Pashinyan said at a briefing after the government meeting.
The Prime Minister noted that Armenia has already begun the restoration of the Gyumri-Akhurik and Yeraskh railway sections.
"This work will be completed. As for the remaining sections, we will continue working discussions, including with our Russian partners. Our position has not changed and will not change for objective reasons, since we cannot simply watch as observers as international railways, including due to our actions, enter Armenia and, having entered Armenia, bypass Armenia again. This cannot happen,” he stated.
Responding to a question about whether Armenia intends to take over the railway for repairs, Pashinyan emphasized that the issue is the property of the Republic of Armenia.
“Let's state that this is our railway. It is the property of the Republic of Armenia, and we must manage our property. I cannot go into details, since these issues must be resolved, including through legal consultations and working discussions. But I can say one thing: South Caucasus Railway is involved in all processes, and they are aware of what is happening,” the Prime Minister said.
He reiterated that the railways must operate in the interests of Armenia.
“I can firmly say one thing: the railways are the property of the Republic of Armenia and must serve the interests of the Republic of Armenia. "It cannot be otherwise. We can all proceed from this starting point," Pashinyan stated.
On Armenia's plans for the railway
In February 2026, Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of Russia transferring the management rights of the Armenian railway to another country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, specifically Qatar, the UAE, or Kazakhstan.
He also stated that, as part of the TRIPP project, several countries are proposing to establish a railway connection between Nakhchivan and the mainland of Azerbaijan, bypassing Armenia, pointing out that the Armenian railway is managed by a Russian company. According to him, this is causing "Armenia to lose its competitive advantage."
Later, Pashinyan reported that he discussed the Armenian railway issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, work in this direction is ongoing.
He confirmed that Yerevan's position on the management of the Armenian Railways remains unchanged.
"It is impossible to reconsider the approach, but on the other hand, we also do not intend to reconsider what we have stated," Pashinyan said at a briefing after the government meeting.
The Prime Minister noted that Armenia has already begun the restoration of the Gyumri-Akhurik and Yeraskh railway sections.
"This work will be completed. As for the remaining sections, we will continue working discussions, including with our Russian partners. Our position has not changed and will not change for objective reasons, since we cannot simply watch as observers as international railways, including due to our actions, enter Armenia and, having entered Armenia, bypass Armenia again. This cannot happen,” he stated.
Responding to a question about whether Armenia intends to take over the railway for repairs, Pashinyan emphasized that the issue is the property of the Republic of Armenia.
“Let's state that this is our railway. It is the property of the Republic of Armenia, and we must manage our property. I cannot go into details, since these issues must be resolved, including through legal consultations and working discussions. But I can say one thing: South Caucasus Railway is involved in all processes, and they are aware of what is happening,” the Prime Minister said.
He reiterated that the railways must operate in the interests of Armenia.
“I can firmly say one thing: the railways are the property of the Republic of Armenia and must serve the interests of the Republic of Armenia. "It cannot be otherwise. We can all proceed from this starting point," Pashinyan stated.
On Armenia's plans for the railway
In February 2026, Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of Russia transferring the management rights of the Armenian railway to another country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, specifically Qatar, the UAE, or Kazakhstan.
He also stated that, as part of the TRIPP project, several countries are proposing to establish a railway connection between Nakhchivan and the mainland of Azerbaijan, bypassing Armenia, pointing out that the Armenian railway is managed by a Russian company. According to him, this is causing "Armenia to lose its competitive advantage."
Later, Pashinyan reported that he discussed the Armenian railway issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, work in this direction is ongoing.
