Georgian Railways to carry fuel from Azerbaijan to Armenia free of charge in one-off move
Fuel export to Armenia via Georgia
Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development responded to reports in Azerbaijani media claiming that Georgian rail tariffs were hindering fuel shipments from Azerbaijan to Armenia. The ministry said it had received a request from the neighbouring countries for a one-time import of fuel from Azerbaijan to Armenia, which Georgia will carry out completely free of charge.
“On 5 December, the Georgian government received a request from partner countries for a one-time transit shipment of fuel from Azerbaijan to Armenia through Georgian territory. By decision of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgian Railways was immediately instructed to carry out this one-time rail transport free of charge.
The decision has been communicated to the official parties. Georgia has been and remains a strategic and reliable partner for both Armenia and Azerbaijan. We have always supported, and continue to support, peace and cooperation in the region,” the statement said.
On 5 December 2025, Azerbaijani media reported a meeting between the authorities of Azerbaijan and Armenia that took place on 28 November. According to sources, the main topic of discussion was the export of Azerbaijani oil and petroleum products to Armenia, which could bring economic benefits to both Baku and Yerevan. Due to the lack of direct rail links between the two countries, transit through Georgia was considered the only way to carry out the deal.
The report states that Azerbaijan requested transit tariffs from Tbilisi, to which the Georgian side responded with a rate 20 times higher than the standard. According to Azerbaijani media, at a time when the South Caucasus has a unique opportunity to move from a logic of conflict to a logic of development, Tbilisi’s behavior represents an attempt to delay this transitional period.
“All of this undermines the overall momentum of regional peacemaking and demonstrates an unwillingness to participate in creating a space for shared prosperity,” writes the article’s author, Maxud Salimov.
Last week, another pro-government Azerbaijani outlet, Caliber, published an article in which author Samir Veliev, drawing on drivers’ accounts, describes recent changes in how the Georgian side treats Azerbaijani truck drivers at the border.
According to the article, drivers face rude treatment and disregard for the law — they are held at the border for several days, and some even recall being mockingly asked, “When will the Zangezur corridor open?” and being encouraged to take that route.
The piece suggests that these shifts in Tbilisi’s policy may be linked to the “northern neighbor” or “those representing Armenian interests” within the Georgian government.
Fuel export to Armenia via Georgia
