Armenia Seeks Friendly Solution to Russian Railway Management

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia is pursuing a negotiated resolution to its railway management arrangement with Russia, rather than unilaterally terminating the existing concession agreement.

Pashinyan explained that while Armenia has no objection to Russian management itself, the current arrangement may be limiting the country's ability to integrate its railway into international transport networks. He noted that potential international investors and users have shown limited interest, citing the Russian concession as a deterrent.

Armenian officials are discussing several possible models with Russian partners, including Russia selling its concession rights to a third party at market rates, retaining a minority stake while transferring part of the concession elsewhere, or separating infrastructure management from usage rights—similar to aviation sector arrangements.

Pashinyan stressed these remain conceptual options with no final decision made. Armenia continues working to identify a mutually acceptable solution.