Yerevan's Arguments Regarding Obstacles to the South Caucasian Railway Do Not Correspond to Reality: Galuzin

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Galuzin has stated that Yerevan's arguments claiming that the Russian concession of the South Caucasian Railway (SCC) hinders Armenia's participation in new logistics projects do not correspond to reality.

“Yerevan's arguments that the Russian concession allegedly prevents Armenia from becoming a participant in logistics initiatives are absolutely inconsistent with reality,” Galuzin said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to him, the SCC CJSC is fulfilling its obligations and has invested over 30 billion rubles in the development of the Armenian railway network since obtaining the concession, including for the modernization of rolling stock. At the same time, the schedule of railway operations has been adjusted at the request of the Armenian side.

Galuzin noted that it is the experience of Russian railway workers that has helped Armenia maintain competitive advantages, which now allow for discussions on unblocking transport communications in the region.

“Considering that previously the issue of transferring the concession to anyone has not been raised, it can be assumed with a high degree of probability that the Armenian leadership is simply being subjected to blackmail,” the deputy foreign minister stated.

In his opinion, Armenia is being offered to remove the “Russian factor” from the transport sector in exchange for promises of multimillion investments and participation in projects, the economic viability of which raises questions. Galuzin described the ongoing events as part of “unclean games by Western capitals aimed at ousting Russia from the South Caucasus region.”

He also called on the Russian and Armenian sides to discuss their differences in a practical format, noting that partners usually first “sit down at the negotiating table and discuss existing problems and concerns in a practical manner,” especially if they genuinely want to find a friendly solution.