Russia Sees No Reason to Transfer Armenian Railway Concession, Says Ovechuk

Russia sees no reason to transfer the management concession of the Armenian railway to anyone. This was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Ovechuk.

“We believe that our company operates in Armenia in accordance with the terms of the agreement. We have updated the railway rolling stock, including passenger cars in 2020-2021. The company is generating profit. Therefore, we see no reason to transfer the concession,” Ovechuk said.

According to him, the company is also ready to participate in the further development of Armenia's railway infrastructure.

Ovechuk recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided in January to support Armenia in the construction of missing sections of the railway connecting Armenia with Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

“Very good connectivity can be created. We are ready to do this together with the Armenian government,” the Russian Deputy Prime Minister stated.

The Armenian railway infrastructure was handed over for concession management to the South Caucasus Railway company for 30 years in 2008, which is a 100% subsidiary of Russian Railways. The concession agreement provides for the possibility of extending the contract for another 10 years.

In August 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Yerevan was proposing to Moscow to sell the management concession of the Armenian railway to a third country.