Armenia negotiating with Russia and Turkey use of railway infrastructure as part of TRIPP initiative

YEREVAN, October 27. /ARKA/. Armenia is currently negotiating with Russia and Turkey to use railway infrastructure as part of the TRIPP initiative.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced this during a parliamentary debate on the 2026 budget.

The day before, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk announced that Russian Railways (RZhD) and its regional partners were negotiating the transit of Russian freight to Armenia via Azerbaijan.

"Armenia's existing railway infrastructure has been transferred to the concession management of the South Caucasus Railway (a division of RZhD). Our position has been communicated to the Russian side. Mechanisms for further cooperation have been and will be discussed," Mirzoyan stated.

He also noted that negotiations are underway with Turkey regarding the use of rail transport on the Gyumri-Kars route.

"I am very optimistic about the resumption of these routes. We look forward to mega-regional projects," Mirzoyan stated.

Furthermore, he expressed concern about the possibility that the Azerbaijani side could impede the commissioning of the railway to Gyumri.

"If the TRIPP project does not include the railway section to Gyumri, it will lose its relevance. If the railway passes through Armenia but does not return to the country via Nakhchivan and Yeraskh (Gyumri-Kars), then there is no point in discussing it. This is based on the principle of mutual benefit," Mirzoyan noted.

On October 21, the President of Azerbaijan announced the lifting of all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia through Azerbaijan. Yerevan welcomed the statement, considering it “critically important for opening regional communications, strengthening mutual trust and institutionalizing the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”-0-