Armenia says it has gained new rail access to European markets through Georgia and Türkiye after the Akhalkalaki–Kars railway route was opened for Armenian exports and imports on Sunday (24 May).
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the development, calling it “a major development” for the country’s economy and thanking Türkiye and Georgia for their cooperation. The route does not reopen the closed Armenia–Türkiye land border, but allows Armenian cargo to move via Georgia and Türkiye.
The move comes amid a gradual normalisation process between Türkiye and Armenia, whose land border has remained closed since 1993 and which still do not have formal diplomatic relations.
Earlier in May, Türkiye also lifted a customs restriction affecting trade with Armenia. Under the new arrangement, goods moving between the two countries via a third country can now list Armenia or Türkiye directly as their point of origin or final destination.
Yerevan has also pointed to wider connectivity plans, including rail links through Georgia and Azerbaijan towards Russia, Kazakhstan and China, as well as future routes involving Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Iran.
The Türkiye–Armenia border is still closed, diplomatic relations have not yet been established, and Ankara has continued to link full normalisation with progress in Armenia–Azerbaijan relations. Armenia’s railway network is also operated under a Russian concession agreement running until 2038, which has complicated Yerevan’s ability to shape its long-term railway strategy independently.
However, after decades of closed borders and limited contact, trade infrastructure is increasingly becoming a key part of diplomacy between Armenia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Source: commonspace.eu with Türkiye Today
