Armenia Joins Ashgabat Transport Corridor Agreement with Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

Armenia has officially joined the Ashgabat Agreement, a strategic international transport and transit corridor that includes Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. This decision was approved by the Armenian government during a Cabinet meeting.

The Ashgabat Agreement, first signed in 2011, aims to facilitate the seamless transit of goods and passengers across member states through multimodal transportation methods, including rail, road, and maritime routes. By joining this initiative, Armenia seeks to optimize transport costs, streamline customs procedures, and gain access to broader international markets, particularly in Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.

According to the Armenian government, participation in the Ashgabat Agreement aligns with the principles of Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace project, which aims to position the country as a key player in regional logistics and transit networks. The initiative is expected to create mutually beneficial economic and business ties between the participating countries, further expanding Armenia’s economic footprint.

The Ashgabat Agreement offers Armenia an opportunity to regulate logistics operations through multiple modes of transport, creating reliable conditions for cargo and passenger transit. The agreement also establishes a framework for harmonizing transit documents and ensuring nondiscriminatory access to transport infrastructure across member states.

Additionally, Armenia’s participation could strengthen its position in the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a major trade route that connects India, Russia, Iran, and Europe. The corridor, which includes the Trans-Caspian railway and the Chabahar Port in Iran, has become a critical logistics hub for moving freight between South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe.

Joining the Ashgabat Agreement also allows Armenia to tap into other significant regional railway and road networks, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan (TAT) rail line and the TRACECA corridor, which links Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

For India, a major stakeholder in the INSTC, the Ashgabat Agreement provides a crucial transit route to bypass Pakistan and access Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port in Iran. Armenia’s involvement in these interconnected corridors could further strengthen the country’s transit capabilities and increase its strategic importance as a trade link in the region.

Armenia’s entry into the Ashgabat Agreement comes at a time of regional uncertainty and evolving trade dynamics. The ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions in the Caucasus and Central Asia have underscored the need for stable and secure trade routes. By aligning with major regional players in the transport sector, Armenia is positioning itself as a more attractive transit partner and a key facilitator of Eurasian connectivity.

Moreover, the agreement presents Armenia with an opportunity to mitigate the impact of regional blockades and restrictions by diversifying its trade routes and accessing new markets. The government’s commitment to optimizing transport infrastructure and regulatory frameworks could also pave the way for foreign investments in Armenia’s logistics and transport sectors.