Yerevan’s claims about Russia’s concession hindering logistics initiatives are false: the Russian Foreign Ministry

Yerevan’s arguments that Russia’s concession is preventing it from participating in logistics initiatives do not correspond to reality, the Russian Foreign Ministry told RIA Novosti.

“Yerevan’s arguments that Russia’s concession supposedly hinders Armenia from participating in logistics initiatives are absolutely untrue,” the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that all clarifications on this matter have been provided at various levels. At the same time, the Armenian side finds it difficult to put forward counterarguments.

The agency noted that the West is demanding that Armenia eliminate the “Russian factor” in the transport sector, and in exchange, it promises investments.

“(Western countries – ed.) demand that the ‘Russian factor’ be eliminated in the transport sector, and in exchange, they promise multimillion‑dollar investments and participation in projects whose economic feasibility is hardly evident,” the ministry said.

Earlier, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Yerevan is asking Moscow to sell a concession for the management of the republic’s railways to a third country. When asked what Armenia would do if the Russian side rejects Yerevan’s proposals regarding the railways, Pashinyan stated that this is impossible.

In February 2008, Armenia’s railway infrastructure was transferred to the concessionary management of the South Caucasus Railway for 30 years, with the right to extend for another 10 years.