Armenian President and Russian Railways head discussed cooperation

YEREVAN, May 29./ARKA/. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received yesterday Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways OJSC, the President’s office reported. 

Serzh Sargsyan said Armenia is keen on consistently strengthening and developing the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership, an important component of which is the cooperation in the field of transport. According to the head of state, the ongoing cooperation with the Russian Railways should be seen in this very context. Thanking Vladimir Yakunin for constructive and fruitful work, the President stressed his personal contribution to the development of transport infrastructures in Armenia.

Vladimir Yakunin, on his side,  congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on Republic Day, wishing him every success. He briefed the President on ongoing and completed Armenian railway modernization and refurbishment activities, noting that as attended by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and other officials, a rolling stock maintenance unit and a locomotive depot had been commissioned earlier today in Gyumri, supposed to provide new jobs for the local population.President Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Yakunin also took the opportunity to discuss the issues relating to the current status of the Armenian railway, the prospects of development, as well as the compliance with the commitments assumed by Russian Railways OJSC under the concession contract.

South Caucasus Railways, a 100-percent subsidiary of Russian Railways, runs Armenian Railway. 

Armenian Railways was handed over to the South Caucasus Railways on February 13, 2008 for 30-year concession management with a right to prolong the management term for other 10 years. -0-