MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Following a six-year pause, the first passenger train on the Baku-Tbilisi rail line operated on the Independence Day of Georgia. Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Tamar Ioseliani, and Georgian Railway General Director, Lasha Abashidze, welcomed the train at the Tbilisi Central Station. Javid Gurbanov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, was among the first passengers.

Tamar Ioseliani noted that the decision to restore passenger rail communication between the two countries was reached during the Prime Minister of Georgia’s official visit to Baku.

“Today is a highly significant holiday for our country. Freedom is a major achievement, and it is the duty of each of us to protect it. Consequently, today is indeed an oligarchic and historic day because, after a six-year break, the Baku-Tbilisi flight operated for the first time. Starting May 26, trains will run daily, allowing our citizens, Azerbaijani guests and tourists to travel comfortably. This is a crucial decision that will foster economic development and stimulate tourism in the country, while also strengthening people-to-people connections,” – the Deputy Minister noted.

Trains on the newly launched route will operate on a daily schedule.