More cargo via Azerbaijan not ruled out amid dynamic reorganization of freight routes, says PM

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that more cargo could be shipped to Armenia via Azerbaijan soon.

Asked whether new agreements are in place on more cargo following the arrival of the first train, Pashinyan said that the situation has unexpected dynamic developments.

According to the Prime Minister, the first train was originally scheduled to arrive in Armenia from Kazakhstan; however, due to changes in the process, Azerbaijan has also allowed trains coming from Russia to use this route.

“It turned out that Azerbaijan is also allowing trains coming from Russia to use this route, and currently applications are being generated for exporting certain shipments from Russia to Armenia via this path. Essentially, the flows are beginning to be reorganized to reach Armenia through Azerbaijan as well,” he said at a press briefing. 

Other trains could reach before the first Kazakh shipment arrives, he said.

“I assume that there may be additional trains. The situation is constantly changing because new applications keep emerging,” Pashinyan said.

He also emphasized the potential flow of goods in the opposite direction—through Azerbaijan from Armenia or Georgia to Russia, Kazakhstan, or other countries.

“We also need to determine in practice how goods will move in the opposite direction. I am confident that, over time, the public will be informed about this,” he added.

The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of these developments, describing them as a very important and major event.