Landlocked Armenia seeks role as `transport bridge`
Armenia will join the Europe-Caucasus-Asia corridor
(TRACECA) and turn into a bridge for international transport after
its border with Turkey opens, says Shovkat Shaydullin, General
Director of South Caucasus Railways.
The South Caucasus Railways closed joint-stock company (CJSC), a company fully owned by Russian Railways, has acquired the right to manage Armenia`s rail lines for 30 years.
Shaydullin told a news conference in Yerevan last week that the CJSC had begun the process of establishing a company to assist in carrying out international cargo transportation. The new company will seek to swiftly transport foreign consignments through appropriate routes and at low costs. South Caucasus Railways has already repaired 70 railway cars for this purpose, ahead of the expected opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.
Shaydullin added that the ongoing operations had been tackled following consultations with Turkey.
Armenia remains prohibited from participating in regional projects due to its policy of aggression against Azerbaijan and only has a rail link with Georgia.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 following Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and past genocide claims. The two governments signed agreements to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders on October 10 in Zurich, signaling signs of a thaw in bilateral ties. However, the documents require ratification in both countries` parliaments before taking effect. Moreover, Ankara has repeatedly pledged that the border will not open until the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict has been fairly resolved.
The South Caucasus Railways closed joint-stock company (CJSC), a company fully owned by Russian Railways, has acquired the right to manage Armenia`s rail lines for 30 years.
Shaydullin told a news conference in Yerevan last week that the CJSC had begun the process of establishing a company to assist in carrying out international cargo transportation. The new company will seek to swiftly transport foreign consignments through appropriate routes and at low costs. South Caucasus Railways has already repaired 70 railway cars for this purpose, ahead of the expected opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.
Shaydullin added that the ongoing operations had been tackled following consultations with Turkey.
Armenia remains prohibited from participating in regional projects due to its policy of aggression against Azerbaijan and only has a rail link with Georgia.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 following Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and past genocide claims. The two governments signed agreements to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders on October 10 in Zurich, signaling signs of a thaw in bilateral ties. However, the documents require ratification in both countries` parliaments before taking effect. Moreover, Ankara has repeatedly pledged that the border will not open until the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict has been fairly resolved.
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