Armenia may demand up to $2B a year from Russia for railway infrastructure

Armenia may demand up to $2 billion a year from Russia for the lease of railway infrastructure, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told journalists, Report informs, citing Russian media.

He said Armenia considers the railways its own property and does not rule out legal proceedings or arbitration over the concession of the South Caucasus Railway.

"Armenia must be able to use this railway as it sees fit. I want to be very clear on this issue: there is no alternative to this," Pashinyan said.

He stressed that he intends to resolve the issue "amicably."

"There is now a lot of talk, mainly by the opposition, about the possibility of prices rising for certain things. But it may turn out that for something that was free in Armenia for 30 years, Armenia will start demanding $2 billion. I am not hinting at the railway; I am saying directly that this is the property of the Republic of Armenia, and there is no other option," Pashinyan added.