Ukrinform reports this, citing Euronews.
Azerbaijan for the first time in several decades has begun delivering petroleum products by rail to Armenia, seen as an important step on the path to normalizing bilateral relations and strengthening regional stability.
According to Ukrinform, citing Euronews, on Thursday 22 railway tank cars were dispatched with 1,210 tons of AI-95 gasoline, produced by the state oil company SOCAR. The cargo was routed through Georgia.
In Baku and Yerevan, this export was described as an important fuel that demonstrates the economic benefits of peace and stability in the region.
The parties also stressed the symbolic significance of restoring rail links as a foundation for further expansion of trade relations.
Additionally: Armenia invited the leaders of Turkey and Azerbaijan to a summit in Yerevan.
Significance of the event for the region and prospects for cooperation
The peace agreement was reached on November 28 in Gabala, where Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev held talks with his Armenian counterpart Mger Grigoryan. They discussed measures to strengthen trust and restore economic ties disrupted by the protracted conflict.
According to Euronews, Armenia currently imports more than 60% of its fuel from Russia – in 2024 the country purchased 230 thousand tons of gasoline and 175 thousand tons of diesel fuel. The rest comes from Iran, Romania, Malta and Turkey.
It was also reported that in October the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev canceled all restrictions on the transit of goods through Armenia.
This event signals progress in the region and prospects for expanding economic engagement and transport cooperation between the countries.