YEREVAN, August 24. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that there is currently an opportunity to sell the right to the Armenian railway concession for about $400 million.
"This is a good opportunity. This package may also include components that, from the perspective of ensuring Russia's interests, will create a more favorable environment," Pashinyan said while presenting the approved government program for 2026-2031 in the National Assembly on August 20.
The Prime Minister urged to take advantage of this opportunity.
"We have great respect for Russia's interests, but it would be illogical to place the interests of any country above the interests of our country," Pashinyan stated.
Armenia's plans for the South Caucasus Railway
In February 2026, Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of Russia transferring the management rights of the Armenian railway to another country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, specifically Qatar, the UAE, or Kazakhstan.
He also stated that within the framework of the TRIPP project, several countries propose to organize a railway connection between Nakhchivan and the main territory of Azerbaijan bypassing Armenia, noting that the Armenian railway is under the management of a Russian company. According to him, due to this, "Armenia is losing its competitive advantage."
On July 30, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan allowed for financial claims of $2 billion against Russia in the context of the South Caucasus railway concession. He stated that the railway is the property of Armenia and the republic has the right to use any legal mechanisms provided by law, including arbitration. At the same time, Pashinyan stated that Yerevan hopes to resolve the issue in a friendly format through dialogue with the Russian side.
Later that same day, the head of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov stated that the Russian side intends to adhere to the terms of the concession agreement and, in case of its termination or modification by Armenia, expects the return of invested funds.
