Turkey begins restoration of Akyaka–Gyumri railway section

A group of Armenian journalists visiting Turkey as part of a journalist exchange program was given the opportunity to see firsthand the progress of work on bringing the Kars–Gyumri railway into operation on the Turkish side, Armenpress writes.

Erduger Toptash, mayor of Akyaka, said in an interview with the outlet that, on the instructions of the Turkish president and with coordination from the Ministry of Transport, work has already begun on preparing border checkpoints and railway infrastructure for the opening of the border.

He specified that construction work is currently underway to restore the infrastructure of the Akyaka–Gyumri railway, which, according to the mayor, will be completed within 2-3 months. Infrastructure restoration work is underway, and public tenders for construction have been announced. Toptash emphasized that the construction work that has begun is preparation for the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. A tender has also been announced for the construction of a land road from Akyaka to Gyumri.

“The tender for the construction of a land road from Akyaka to Gyumri has already been announced, and we expect that work will begin there as well. This is part of our governments’ policy of developing good-neighborly, friendly relations,” he said.

The mayor of Akyaka stated that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will bring economic benefits to both countries. According to him, broad opportunities are opening up for cooperation in agriculture and industry, Armenpress writes.