Yerevan seeks compromise with Moscow over concession of Armenian railways

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Armenian government will not take harsh decisions with Russia on the issue of concession management of the Armenian railways and prefers to resolve the issues in a friendly atmosphere.

According to Armenpress, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this at a briefing with journalists after the government session.

"The solution is for us to mutually understand and take into account each other's interests, making certain compromises, one of which could be Russia's sale of the concession rights. This could be fully or partially, that is, there may be certain configurations of shareholders, where the percentage distribution will be such that it does not hinder the historic opportunity for Armenia to integrate into the international transport network," Pashinyan said.

In May 2026, Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia wants to change the logic of the concession management of the railways so that sanctions do not become an obstacle to the development of the country's railway system.

Let us recall that the concession management of the Armenian railway is carried out by Russia through the South Caucasus Railway company. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously spoken on this topic, noting that the Russian concession management deprives Armenia of certain competitive advantages, and proposed transferring the concession management of the Armenian railway to a third country friendly to both Armenia and Russia. Various officials on the Russian side have already stated that they do not consider it expedient to transfer the concession management of the railway to a third country.