Armenia May Seek Billions From Russia Over Railway Concession

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia could seek financial compensation from Russia over the operation of South Caucasus Railway CJSC, which Russian Railways (RZD) has managed under a concession agreement since 2008. In February, Pashinyan suggested that Russia consider transferring the concession rights for Armenia's railway network to a friendly third country, naming Kazakhstan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates as possible candidates. In April, he clarified that Yerevan would not discuss issues related to the railway behind Moscow's back. Pashinyan has now said Armenia could take the dispute to international arbitration. He stressed that the country's railway infrastructure belongs to the Armenian state and that the government has the right to decide how it should be managed. He also noted that Yerevan had refrained from making financial demands on Moscow for many years.