Pashinyan, Russian Railways chief discuss integrating Armenia into international networks: working group to be set up
Armenia’s government and Russian Railways (RZD) will set up a joint working group to discuss, within a short time frame, making Armenia’s railways more competitive and integrating them into international routes. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the agreement was reached at a meeting between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Oleg Belozerov, CEO and chairman of the board of RZD.
Pashinyan said that, given the possibility of unblocking regional transport infrastructure, the government aims to make Armenia’s railways competitive and integrate them into the rail networks of neighbouring countries and the international rail network.
The sides discussed projects to rebuild the Gyumri-Akhurik-Turkish border and Yeraskh-Nakhijevan rail sections, and the opportunities their completion would open up.
They also discussed infrastructure development, management efficiency, current problems and possible solutions under the concession management of South Caucasus Railway. The company is an RZD subsidiary that runs Armenia’s railway under a concession.
South Caucasus Railway has run Armenia’s railway since 2008 under a 30-year concession agreement. According to the Statistical Committee of Armenia, rail freight reached 1.29 million tonnes in January-August 2026, up 23% year on year. That is 11.3% of the 11.36 million tonnes carried by all modes of transport. Rail exports totalled 317,500 tonnes, imports 625,200 tonnes and domestic shipments 345,400 tonnes. Road transport carried 8.6 million tonnes (+3.2%).
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