Russian Ministries Order Improved Agricultural Rail Connectivity To Armenia Via Azerbaijan

The Russian Agriculture Ministry and Russian Railways have ordered the development of agricultural supply chain routes to Armenia via Azerbaijan, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk.

Azerbaijan has also confirmed the possibility of using its railway network for the export of agricultural products from Russia to Azerbaijan. Overchuk said that “Two days ago, the Azerbaijani side confirmed to us that it would be possible to use Azerbaijan’s railways for transit of Russian products via the territory of Azerbaijan to Armenia; in other words, we also have very interesting progress in this area. Russian Railways, together with their colleagues in the region, are currently addressing issues of organizing this transportation. At the same time, we gave relevant instructions to the Agriculture Ministry to develop this new logistics route.”

Last week, a trilateral Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran meeting took place in Baku to discuss the development of transport corridors, including the International North-South Transport Corridor, Overchuk said.

The connectivity indicates a normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and landlocked Armenia after the two sides were at war as recently as 2023. It also signals Moscow’s intent to better service the Armenian market after Yerevan lodged an application earlier this year to join the European Union. Armenia is currently a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia.

Overchuk also discussed the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), saying that “As for the North-South Corridor itself, we’re seeing the same progress, which is currently being made in Azerbaijan in terms of the construction of the Azerbaijani section. Notable work is currently underway in Iran on the purchase of land plots for the Rasht-Astara South Corridor in Iran. Design and survey works are underway, a geodetic reference network has already been developed, and aerial photography is being prepared. In other work, a normal working process for preparations of the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway is ongoing.”

The INSTC will enable Russia to enter markets of Southeast Asia, among other things, Overchuk said. Trade partnerships with countries of this region are currently being discussed at talks between Russia and ASEAN at the ASEAN summit currently taking place in Kuala Lumpur.