Pashinyan Says Armenia Is Open to Kazakhstan Taking Over Management of Armenian Railways

YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Armenia would not oppose a scenario in which Kazakhstan assumes management of the Armenian railway system.

Speaking on Bun TV’s Third Term program, Pashinyan said Kazakhstan is among the countries that naturally comes to mind as a potential operator because of its developed infrastructure and experience investing in the railway sector.

“Kazakhstan is probably the first country that comes to everyone’s mind, perhaps also because Kazakhstan has fairly well-developed infrastructure and experience investing in the railway sector,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister reiterated that Armenia expects Russia to sell its railway concession rights to a third party.

Pashinyan said the TRIPP project and the establishment of peace have created what he described as a historic opportunity for Armenia to integrate into international transportation networks through the reopening of railway connections. However, he argued that the continued operation of Armenia’s railway under a Russian concession could result in new regional transportation routes bypassing Armenia.

He pointed to the rapid construction of the Kars-Dilucu railway as an example.

“In other words, the railway could enter Armenia from the Nrnadzor side and exit through Agarak, but the main international flows could go not through Armenia and then into Turkey, but through Nakhichevan into Turkey,” Pashinyan said. “That railway [Kars-Dilucu] will be built. We have the right to compete, but under these conditions we see that we will not be able to compete.”

Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia does not seek to sever its ties with Russia.

“We not only do not want to cut our ties with Russia, but we also want to deepen our relations, although in a new environment and under new conditions,” he said.