Turkey has begun restoring a railway section that in the future should connect the city of Akyaka with Armenian Gyumri. The project is considered one of the key elements of a possible opening of the border between the two countries and the restoration of direct transport links.

The mayor of the Turkish city of Akyaka, Erduger Toptas, announced the start of work. This is about the Akyaka-Gyumri railway line, which will become part of the Kars-Gyumri route after the resumption of the Armenian-Turkish border. According to the official, infrastructure restoration has already begun, and the main work is 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 launch of the route, Armenia will be able to get direct railway communication with Turkey, which will open access to transport corridors towards the ports of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the markets of 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 the project is implemented, the restored line could become an important part of the regional transport infrastructure.