Russia is not negotiating the transfer of Armeian railway concession to Kazakhstan: Zakharova

Russia is not conducting negotiations with either Astana or Yerevan regarding the transfer of the concession to manage Armenia’s railways to Kazakhstan. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at a briefing.

“On March 30, Russian Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin stated that Moscow is not conducting negotiations with either Astana or Yerevan regarding the transfer of the concession to manage Armenia’s railways to Kazakhstan,” Zakharova said in response to a question about whether such a transfer would be acceptable to the Russian side.

She also noted that Russian investment in the republic’s railway infrastructure has amounted to more than 30 billion rubles.

“I would recall that the concession agreement concluded in 2008 has a term of 30 years, with the possibility of extension for a further 10 years. For many years, the South Caucasus Railways CJSC has been faithfully fulfilling the terms of this agreement, and Russian investment in the republic’s railway infrastructure has exceeded 30 billion rubles,” Zakharova added.