Armenian, Russian deputy prime ministers discussed reopening of transport infrastructure between Armenia and Azerbaijan

YEREVAN, February 2. /ARKA/. Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk discussed today in Yerevan a string of issues, which are being handled by a trilateral working group chaired by deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

The group was set up to handle the reopening of transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The press service of the Armenian government said the sides discussed also topical issues of the Russian-Armenian bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation.

Both parties were said to have emphasized the important role of the South Caucasus Railway company for the Armenian economy. The meeting was also attended by CEO of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov and Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin.

The trilateral working group was set up following the January 11, 2021 meeting of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Moscow.

On November 26, 2021, at the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders met in Sochi and on December 14, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan spoke in Brussels at the invitation of European Council President Charles Michel.

The key topics of the talks in Sochi and Brussels were the unblocking of transport communications in the region, in particular the restoration of railway communication between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

South Caucasus Railway CJSC is a 100% subsidiary of Russian Railways OJSC. Armenian railway infrastructure was placed under concession management of SCR CJSC in accordance with the Concession Agreement signed on February 13, 2008. The concession management period is 30 years with the right to extend it for another 10 years. -0-