Russia’s official Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the Russian operator of Armenia’s railways does not deprive the country of competitive advantages but rather creates them.

She described as “strange” and “hardly acceptable” statements by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the management of Armenia’s railways, Sputnik Armenia reports.

Earlier, Pashinyan suggested to Russia that the concession management of the railways be sold to a friendly country of both Yerevan and Moscow. The prime minister argued that amid Russia’s strained relations with a number of countries, Russian management of Armenia’s railways negatively affects their competitiveness.

“Russia consistently advocates for the unblocking of all transport and economic communications. Considerable work has been carried out in this direction within the framework of the trilateral working group co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Zakharova said.

She recalled that Armenia’s railway network has been under the management of South Caucasus Railway CJSC for more than twenty years.

“Throughout this entire period, the company has not only steadily fulfilled all the terms of the concession agreement but also (perhaps they have forgotten about this in Yerevan) invested significant funds in infrastructure and rolling stock, which — this should be clarified directly with the company — as I understand, have not yet been recouped. It has ensured a large number of jobs, which should also be taken into account by those in Armenia who wish to comment on this topic. The Russian operator is the structure that has not deprived the republic of competitive advantages but has created them,” the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Zakharova added that Russia’s position, regarding the restoration of two railway sections providing Armenia access toward Turkey and Azerbaijan at Yerevan’s request, had been presented on February 12 by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.

Moscow intends to continue to be guided by that approach.

Earlier, Overchuk stated that Russia and Armenia would begin negotiations on restoring railway sections on Armenian territory leading to the borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenia’s railway infrastructure was transferred in February 2008 for 30 years, with the possibility of a 10-year extension, to South Caucasus Railway under a concession agreement.