On January 15, representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia jointly
reviewed the current state of the Sadarak-Yeraskh railway section,
the Cabinet of Ministers announced, as part of cooperation aimed at
restoring key transport infrastructure across the South Caucasus,
Azernews reports.
Officials said the assessment focused on evaluating the
technical suitability of the railway section for the movement of
specialized construction equipment in preparation for
infrastructure restoration efforts. During the visit, the parties
exchanged views on the technical condition of the railway and
discussed next steps for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The Sadarak-Yeraskh section, which lies on the border between
Armenia’s Ararat region and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of
Azerbaijan, has been non-operational for decades following the
1990s conflicts, with about four kilometres of tracks dismantled.
Restoring this segment is widely viewed as a crucial link for
reconnecting Armenia physically with Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan
exclave and, ultimately, the wider regional rail network.
Efforts to unblock rail links in the region have gained renewed
momentum following the August 8, 2025 peace agreement between
Armenia and Azerbaijan and accompanying commitments to reopen
transportation corridors. Armenian officials, including Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinyan, have urged Russia, which manages
Armenia’s railways under a concession, to expedite repairs on
sections leading to Akhurik (Türkiye) and Yeraskh (Nakhchivan),
saying Armenia may take over restoration work if delays
persist.
Regional connectivity initiatives also include the “Trump Route
for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP)”, aimed at linking
Azerbaijan’s mainland with Nakhchivan via southern Armenia and
integrating with broader transport infrastructure in the South
Caucasus.
The joint technical review underscores growing practical
cooperation between Baku and Yerevan on infrastructure issues, even
as detailed planning, financing and restoration work remain ongoing
priorities.