Armenian minister attends Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway opening

Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan attended on Tuesday in Georgia the official opening ceremony of the new Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line.

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, and Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu were in attendance, Georgia’s public broadcaster First Channel reported.

Furthermore, present were members of the Georgian government, members of Parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps and partner nations, as well as guests from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

According to Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, this railway is a joint strategic project between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye, playing a vital role in enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia.

“The new railway route increases regional capacity, promotes diversification of freight routes, and strengthens regional connectivity. The Marabda–Kartsakhi section stretches 180 kilometres, of which 153 kilometres have been rehabilitated and reconstructed, and a brand-new 27-kilometre railway line built to European standards. Freight volumes on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars line are steadily rising each year.

Once fully operational, the line’s capacity is expected to reach five million tonnes, enabling the region to handle additional cargo and significantly boost its transport capabilities. The complete commissioning of this section was made possible during Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, alongside Minister Kvrivishvili and Azerbaijan’s Minister Nabiyev.

The signing of the Protocol of the Bilateral Coordination Council by Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, cemented the achievement,” the Georgian public broadcaster quoted the country’s economy ministry as saying.