Moscow Responds to Yerevan's Railway Proposal

Moscow continues to work with Yerevan, fulfilling all its obligations. This was announced by the Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Andrey Nikitin. “They are not formally refusing anything. They keep making statements, but at the same time, there is no refusal; we are working as we have been,” said Andrey Nikitin, responding to a question about the possibility of Armenia refusing cooperation with Russia regarding railway transportation.

Nikitin noted that all conditions are stipulated in the current concession agreement. The South Caucasian Railway (SCR) manages Armenia's railway transport system based on a concession agreement signed between Armenia and Russian Railways in 2008. It was signed for 30 years with the option to extend it for another 10 years.

Previously, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Yerevan is proposing to sell the concession for railway management in the republic to a third party. In response to a question about Armenia's possible actions if Russia refuses its proposals, the Prime Minister said that such a scenario is impossible.

Later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's requests to sell the concession, noting that such statements provoke surprise and emotions.