Expert: situation at Upper Lars border checkpoint shows necessity to construct Iran-Armenia railway
25.11.2011,
01:01
Vazgen Safaryan, head of the Union of Armenia’s Manufacturers, speaking Thursday at a news conference, said that accumulation of about 160 vehicles with cargoes for Armenia at Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russia-Georgia border proved again the necessity t
YEREVAN, November 24. /ARKA/. Vazgen Safaryan, head of the Union of Armenia’s Manufacturers, speaking Thursday at a news conference, said that accumulation of about 160 vehicles with cargoes for Armenia at Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russia-Georgia border proved again the necessity to start construction of Iran-Armenia railway.
The Upper Lars border checkpoint serves the only direct ground transportation link between Armenia, which is blockaded by Azerbaijan and Turkey, and Russia.
This checkpoint plays a very important role in Armenia’s economic relations with other countries.
Iran-Armenia railroad would be an alternative gateway to the world.
Armenia is now negotiating with some companies in Iran, Russia and China to get financing for this construction.
“Today is a right moment to reach a breakthrough,” Safaryan said. “The railway would give us access to other countries, particularly Russia and Kazakhstan through Caspian Sea. Today’s situation only confirms the necessity to intensify our efforts in this direction.”
Safaryan thinks that this is Russia that should lend money for implementation of this project and even invest in it.
Commenting on the situation at the Upper Lars, he said that the Armenian president would visit Georgia with a large delegation and expressed hope that this problem would be solved during this visit.
“If Georgia will bar our cargoes from reaching their destination, various sanctions can be imposed on it in accordance with international norms,” he said.
Earlier, Armenian Transport and Communications Minister Manuk Vardanyan said that about 160 vehicles loaded with cargoes for Armenia accumulated at this checkpoint because of snowfalls weather.
In his words, assistance is being provided to the trapped dumper trucks.
On August 6, 2009, Armenian government set up a board for searching financing sources for construction of North-South railway that will connect Armenia and Iran.
The project is estimated to cost $1.7 to 2.8 billion. -0-
The Upper Lars border checkpoint serves the only direct ground transportation link between Armenia, which is blockaded by Azerbaijan and Turkey, and Russia.
This checkpoint plays a very important role in Armenia’s economic relations with other countries.
Iran-Armenia railroad would be an alternative gateway to the world.
Armenia is now negotiating with some companies in Iran, Russia and China to get financing for this construction.
“Today is a right moment to reach a breakthrough,” Safaryan said. “The railway would give us access to other countries, particularly Russia and Kazakhstan through Caspian Sea. Today’s situation only confirms the necessity to intensify our efforts in this direction.”
Safaryan thinks that this is Russia that should lend money for implementation of this project and even invest in it.
Commenting on the situation at the Upper Lars, he said that the Armenian president would visit Georgia with a large delegation and expressed hope that this problem would be solved during this visit.
“If Georgia will bar our cargoes from reaching their destination, various sanctions can be imposed on it in accordance with international norms,” he said.
Earlier, Armenian Transport and Communications Minister Manuk Vardanyan said that about 160 vehicles loaded with cargoes for Armenia accumulated at this checkpoint because of snowfalls weather.
In his words, assistance is being provided to the trapped dumper trucks.
On August 6, 2009, Armenian government set up a board for searching financing sources for construction of North-South railway that will connect Armenia and Iran.
The project is estimated to cost $1.7 to 2.8 billion. -0-
