Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Pashinyan's "Railway Concession Sale" Remarks Trigger "Chest Tightening" in Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Responds to Armenian Prime Minister's Appeal: Let's Discuss Railway Issues, Not Public Bidding
In an interview with RBK TV, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposal to sell railway concession rights within Armenia itself came as a surprise to Moscow, even evoking feelings of "deep unease."
Lavrov pointed out that if Yerevan raises such issues, it should clarify its logic and rationale to its partners.
"Instead, however, we are met with public statements asserting that this railway (referring to the South Caucasus Railway operated by Russian Railways — editor’s note) was originally theirs, and that we still owe them two billion dollars," Lavrov said.
The Russian foreign minister also added that Moscow maintains regular contact with Yerevan at the deputy prime minister level, and that any issue of interest to Armenia—including matters related to the South Caucasus Railway—can be discussed during these meetings.
Previously, Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan had stated that Yerevan might demand Russia pay $2 billion for using the country’s railway infrastructure. Pashinyan emphasized that railways within Armenian territory belong to the nation's assets, and Yerevan has the right to use them as it sees fit.
In April this year, Pashinyan also mentioned the possibility of transferring railway concession rights from Russia to Kazakhstan, while stressing that Yerevan would not conduct such transactions behind Moscow’s back.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1874745170400264/
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