Akhalkalaki–Kars Railway Open for Armenian Exports and Imports, Pashinyan Says

YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway, like Azerbaijan’s railway, is now open for exports from Armenia and imports into Armenia.

“This is a major event in the economic life of our country. I thank our Turkish and Georgian partners,” Pashinyan wrote on Facebook.

The prime minister said the next steps will be the opening of the Armenia–Turkey railway, the Armenia–Azerbaijan railway, and then the Armenia–Iran railway through Nakhichevan. He emphasized that these developments will take place as a result of the implementation of the TRIPP project.

Speaking about TRIPP during a campaign stop in Shirak on Sunday, Pashinyan said Armenia is preparing to sign a final agreement with the United States on the project, though he did not provide a timeline.

“In the near future, we will sign the final agreement with the United States on the implementation of the TRIPP project. We will implement that agreement, and as a result, the Republic of Armenia will become a Crossroads of Peace not only theoretically, but in the literal sense,” Pashinyan said.

Turkey’s special envoy, Serdar Kılıç, reposted Pashinyan’s statement on X and wrote: “I hope this new step, which will also promote Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan-Georgia quadrilateral cooperation and make a significant contribution to strengthening regional peace and stability, will bring success to all these countries.”

Pashinyan also noted that Armenia is gaining another railway connection through the Akhalkalaki–Kars route.

“Our roads are opening, and I want to draw attention to the fact that the blockade is being overcome step by step,” he said.

According to the prime minister, just as Armenia gained the opportunity last year to establish railway links through Azerbaijan toward Russia, Kazakhstan, and China, it will now be able to use the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway through Georgia to connect with European countries and Syria.

Pashinyan added that repair work on the Gyumri–Kars railway will begin soon. He also said the Armenian government will begin repairing the Yeraskh railway junction, despite the railway being under concession management by the Russian side.

“We will start repairing the Yeraskh junction as well. Although there is a concession agreement, the Armenian government will take responsibility, make the investment, repair and restore the railway, and the railway will open,” he said.

The prime minister said Armenian business delegations and exporters will soon travel to the region, including Turkey, and later to Syria, European Union countries, and other European countries with which Armenia has strong relations.

“We need to understand how to use these opportunities,” Pashinyan said.