Turkey has begun restoring a railway section that is expected to connect the city of Akyaka with Armenian Gyumri in the future. The project is seen as one of the key elements for a potential opening of the border between the two countries and the restoration of direct transport links.
The start of the works was announced by the mayor of the Turkish city of Akyaka, Erduger Toptas. This refers to the Akyaka — Gyumri railway line, which will become part of the Kars — Gyumri route after the Armenian-Turkish border reopens. According to the official, infrastructure restoration has already begun, and the main works are planned to be completed within the next 2–3 months. In addition, a tender has been announced for the construction of a highway between Akyaka and Gyumri.
After the route is launched, Armenia will gain direct railway access to Turkey, opening up transport corridors towards Mediterranean ports, as well as markets in Europe and the Middle East. For Turkey, the new route will become an additional transit direction to the east.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the country is preparing to begin reconstruction of railway sections in the Yeraskh area and the Gyumri — Akyaka direction. If implemented, the restored line could become an important part of the regional transport infrastructure.