Western countries are blackmailing the Armenian leadership over the concession management of the South Caucasus Railway (SCR) company, demanding to eliminate the “Russian factor,” promising in return allegedly multi-million dollar investments, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told TASS.

The ministry recalled that this topic was recently discussed at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on August 6 and 7, where it was commented on in detail by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.

“The matter of the management of the Armenian railway network by the Russian side was also discussed by the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Maxim Reshetnikov,” the Russian MFA added.

“Considering that the matter of transferring the concession [management of the railway] to anyone was not previously raised, it is highly likely that the Armenian leadership is simply being blackmailed. They [i.e. Western countries] demand the elimination of the ‘Russian factor’ in the transport sector, and in return they promise multi-million [dollar] investments and involvement in projects whose economic feasibility is hardly visible. This fully corresponds to the spirit of the dirty games of Western capitals aimed at pushing Russia out of the South Caucasus region,” the Russian MFA noted, answering the question of whether Yerevan has established diplomatic contacts with Moscow on the concession management of the SCR.

The Russian MFA noted that the SCR “fulfills its obligations with the utmost responsibility, has made significant investments of more than 30 billion rubles, including toward updating the rolling stock.”

“It is also important that their schedule was adjusted at the request of the Armenian side,” the Russian MFA explained. “It is the professional capabilities of Russian railway workers that helped Armenia maintain competitive advantages, which today, in principle, enable to talk about unblocking communications in the region.”

In this regard, the Russian MFA noted the absolute inconsistency of Yerevan’s arguments that “the Russian concession [management of the SCR] prevents Armenia from becoming a participant in logistics initiatives.”

 “All clarifications in this regard were given at various levels. Moreover, the Armenian side finds it difficult to present counterarguments,” the Russian MFA added.

“In general, before making public statements, partners usually sit down at the negotiating table and discuss existing problems and concerns in a practical format, especially if there is a wish, as Yerevan claims, to find a solution in a friendly atmosphere,” the Russian foreign ministry concluded.