Armenia’s Pashinyan warns Georgia Azerbaijan and Armenia may seek alternative routes

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Azerbaijan and Armenia could seek alternative import and export routes if issues related to Georgian Railways tariffs are not resolved.

His comments came after the first shipment of Azerbaijani petroleum products was sent to Armenia. Pashinyan said he was aware of existing tariff-related problems on the Georgian transit route.

“I hope these issues will either be resolved or economic operators will find alternative routes,” Pashinyan said.

The first shipment, consisting of 1,220 tonnes of AI-95 gasoline transported in 22 rail wagons, was dispatched by Azerbaijan Railways and is en route to Armenia via Georgia.

Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said the supplies were carried out by private companies, adding that the political conditions for trade were created following the normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku. He confirmed that about 20 additional wagons of Azerbaijani fuel are expected to arrive in Armenia in the coming days.

Papoyan said there were agreements in place on fuel supplies, but volumes and continuity would depend on market conditions. He declined to disclose pricing or the name of the importing company, saying the government does not interfere in commercial matters.

Georgia previously said the first transit shipment of Azerbaijani fuel to Armenia was transported free of charge by rail under a decision by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. No details have been provided on terms for future transit.