Transit to Armenia via Azerbaijan benefits all parties - Overchuk

Cargo deliveries from Russia and Kazakhstan to Armenia via Azerbaijan and Georgia by rail are beneficial for all parties involved, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said.

He explained that Russian Railways reached an agreement on shipping goods from Russia and Kazakhstan to Armenia through the territories of Azerbaijan and Georgia within a few days.

"The first grain shipment to arrive in Armenia by rail in thirty years was Russian," Overchuk said.

The official pointed out that fertilizer shipments are now also being delivered along the same route, expanding the range of goods transported in this way.

The Russian deputy PM emphasized that such shipments benefit all parties: Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia.

"Everyone has gained a new source of revenue, and Russia is directly involved in this… The Russian government is interested in developing trade and increasing cargo flows between our countries," Overchuk said.

The official expressed gratitude to Baku and Tbilisi for their constructive and fruitful cooperation in unblocking Armenia, a fellow EAEU member state.

He also noted Russia's "normal" relations with Armenia's neighbors, Iran and Turkey. He added that shipments are also planned from Central Asian countries and China, with which Moscow also maintains "normal relations."

The Russian deputy PM also touched on the issue of Russia's concession to manage Armenian railways, stressing that Moscow is interested in its continued effective operation.

"Therefore, it is unclear who, from the north, south, west, or east, wants to exclude Russian Railways from the development of the common 1520 space," Overchuk said.