Russian Railways is fulfilling all the terms of the concession agreement with Armenia and is open to dialogue - Belozerov
01.09.2026,
16:02
Russian Railways is fulfilling the terms of the concession agreement for the management of Armenian railways and is open to discussing proposals from the Armenian side, Oleg Belozerov, head of Russian Railways, told Izvestia.
YEREVAN, September 1. /ARKA/. Russian Railways is fulfilling the terms of the concession agreement for the management of Armenian railways and is open to discussing proposals from the Armenian side, Oleg Belozerov, head of Russian Railways, told Izvestia.
According to him, Russian Railways is in constant contact with its Armenian partners and is carefully fulfilling its obligations under the concession agreement with South Caucasus Railways CJSC.
"We are two parties to the agreement. Various questions and proposals arise, which we jointly discuss and outline specific actions. Our Armenian colleagues ask us various questions. We are open to dialogue and will definitely respond to all proposals from the Armenian side in a friendly and comfortable manner," the head of Russian Railways stated.
Belozerov emphasized that the company views cooperation with Armenia primarily from the perspective of the current concession agreement.
According to him, the document details the terms for termination, cancellation, modification, development, and extension of the agreement, and Russian Railways intends to strictly adhere to these provisions. The head of the holding company also stated that if additional decisions are made at the government level, the company will comply with them.
The previous day, in an interview with OTA, RA Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Armenia will find a solution to the issue of concession management of the republic's railway network in a way that will enable it to realize its transit potential without infringing on the interests of its Russian partners.
About Armenia's plans for SCR
In February 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of Russia transferring management rights to 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, noting that the Armenian railway is managed by a Russian company. According to him, this is causing "Armenia to lose its competitive advantage."
On July 30, Pashinyan admitted to having $2 billion in financial claims against Russia in the context of the South Caucasus Railway concession. He stated that the railway is the property of Armenia, and the republic has the right to use any legal mechanisms, including arbitration. Pashinyan also stated that Yerevan expects to resolve the issue amicably through dialogue with the Russian side.
Later that day, Russian Railways head Oleg Belozerov stated that Moscow intends to adhere to the terms of the concession agreement and, should Armenia terminate or modify it, expects a return on its investment.
According to Russian estimates, over 30 billion rubles have been invested in Armenia's railway system since the concession was established.
According to him, Russian Railways is in constant contact with its Armenian partners and is carefully fulfilling its obligations under the concession agreement with South Caucasus Railways CJSC.
"We are two parties to the agreement. Various questions and proposals arise, which we jointly discuss and outline specific actions. Our Armenian colleagues ask us various questions. We are open to dialogue and will definitely respond to all proposals from the Armenian side in a friendly and comfortable manner," the head of Russian Railways stated.
Belozerov emphasized that the company views cooperation with Armenia primarily from the perspective of the current concession agreement.
According to him, the document details the terms for termination, cancellation, modification, development, and extension of the agreement, and Russian Railways intends to strictly adhere to these provisions. The head of the holding company also stated that if additional decisions are made at the government level, the company will comply with them.
The previous day, in an interview with OTA, RA Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Armenia will find a solution to the issue of concession management of the republic's railway network in a way that will enable it to realize its transit potential without infringing on the interests of its Russian partners.
About Armenia's plans for SCR
In February 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of Russia transferring management rights to 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, noting that the Armenian railway is managed by a Russian company. According to him, this is causing "Armenia to lose its competitive advantage."
On July 30, Pashinyan admitted to having $2 billion in financial claims against Russia in the context of the South Caucasus Railway concession. He stated that the railway is the property of Armenia, and the republic has the right to use any legal mechanisms, including arbitration. Pashinyan also stated that Yerevan expects to resolve the issue amicably through dialogue with the Russian side.
Later that day, Russian Railways head Oleg Belozerov stated that Moscow intends to adhere to the terms of the concession agreement and, should Armenia terminate or modify it, expects a return on its investment.
According to Russian estimates, over 30 billion rubles have been invested in Armenia's railway system since the concession was established.
