The Akhalkalaki–Kars railway route has been officially opened for Armenia’s export and import operations. According to the country’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, the launch of this route marks a significant step for the economy and expands foreign trade opportunities, including direct logistics channels via Georgia and Turkey.
Pashinyan noted that Armenia is already connected to Russia by rail through the territories of Georgia and Azerbaijan, and also has access to China via Russia and Kazakhstan. Now, an additional opportunity is emerging for railway connectivity with European Union member states via Georgia and Turkey. The opening of new routes is expected in the near future, including Armenia–Turkey, Armenia–Azerbaijan, and Armenia–Iran routes – the latter via Nakhchivan – within the framework of the TRIPP project.
It is also reported that Turkey has completed preparations for launching direct trade with Armenia, while Yerevan has confirmed the feasibility of direct customs clearance without the involvement of third countries. Although the land border between the two nations has remained closed since 1993, both sides are continuing the process of normalizing relations, including the restoration of railway links and the development of new transport routes in the region.