Russia is awaiting Armenia’s response to a proposal to restore two sections of Armenian railway and is ready to take part in the work, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said, according to Interfax.
The proposed sections run from Yeraskh to the border with Nakhchivan and from Gyumri to the border with Turkey. They are operated under a concession by South Caucasus Railway, a subsidiary of Russian Railways.
Overchuk said decisions to restore the sections were made at the level of Russia’s president in January. Meetings expected in the near future could move the discussion forward, he said. Russia is also ready to help Armenia establish transport links along these routes, he added.
Separately, Alexander Lukashenko met in Minsk with the heads of delegations to the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. Bakytzhan Sagintayev, chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission, took part in the meeting.
Lukashenko said the council would discuss trade, industry and the agricultural sector. Transport infrastructure, the electricity market and customs cooperation are also on the agenda.
Lukashenko also urged Armenia to assess its markets before rushing into the European Union. Citing Armenian cognac as an example, he suggested finding out whether France was willing to buy the drink.