Socchi-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway line to be restored?

RIA Novosti, Russia
April 2 2004

SOCHI-TBILISI-YEREVAN RAILWAY LINE TO BE RESTORED?

TBILISI, April 1, 2004. (RIA Novosti). Armenian Defense Minister and
Security Council Secretary Serzh Sarkisyan is to pay a two-day visit
to Tbilisi. He is to discuss the restoration of railway communication
on the route Sochi-Tbilisi-Yerevan and regional security issues.

“The Sochi-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway line is highly important for us
because this is the only road linking Armenia and Russia,” Mr.
Sarkisyan told journalists at Tbilisi’s airport.

“During President Mikhail Saakashvili’s visit to Yerevan we asked the
Georgian side to help the restoration of railway communication. He
considered our request with understanding and we hope to achieve
success,” he noted.

According to Serzh Sarkisyan, at issue will be regional security
problems, the reduction of railway tariffs and cooperation between
the Georgian and Armenian security councils.