ArmInfo.There are factors causing certain tensions and friction in Armenian-Russian relations," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated during a press briefing on May 28, noting that the issue in question concerns the railway.
"We must seize this historic opportunity and we don't intend to abandon this agenda. We cannot allow our railway to remain in a state of scrap metal," the Prime Minister said.
According to Pashinyan, the Armenian railway has great transit potential. Therefore, work with Russian partners will continue to find mutually beneficial solutions.It should be noted that on February 13, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking to journalists, stated that Russia's concession management of Armenia's railways creates competitive issues for Armenia, and that many international partners want to bypass Armenian territory when implementing infrastructure projects.
In this vein, he suggested that Russia consider selling the concession to a third, friendly country. He suggested Kazakhstan, the UAE, or Qatar as examples.
Recall, South Caucasus Railway CJSC (SCR) is a 100% subsidiary of Russian Railways OJSC (RZD). On February 13, 2008, a concession agreement was signed in Yerevan between Russian Railways OJSC and the Republic of Armenia to transfer the management of the republic's railway transport system to SCR CJSC. Under the agreement, the term of the concession management is 30 years, with the option to extend it for an additional 10 years after the first twenty years of operation, subject to mutual consent. The mandates of SCR CJSC include modernizing Armenia's railway infrastructure, developing cooperation with neighboring states, and expanding domestic and international passenger and freight transport. The total investment volume carried out by the company amounts to $572 million. SCR CJSC started its operations on June 1, 2008.
