The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 14 2004
Ferry route to open between Russia and Georgia
By M. Alkhazashvili
An agreement between Georgia and Russia regarding a ferry line
connecting the two ports of Poti and Kavkaz is to be signed in the
first half of January 2005. The service should increase cargo
turnover between the two countries.
The decision to sign the agreement was taken during a meeting on
December 10 in Moscow attended by Minister of Economy Kakha
Bendukidze, Head of Georgian Railways David Onoprishvili, and Russian
Transport Minister Igor Levitin.
Levitin discussed the idea with Bendukidze, and officials say both
ports have already carried out serious preliminary works in a short
period of time.
Experts think that the opening of this route will increase business
partnerships and will improve the transportation of goods between the
two countries in winter. Currently cargo is transported between the
two countries along the Georgian military highway, but this passes
through the high mountains and heavy snow in winter often creates
problems.
Furthermore, transportation tariffs are expected to go down and Poti
Port will handle a greater amount of cargo. The opening of this route
will also make it easier for Armenia to send and receive cargo.
As a result, Armenia is understandably interested in this route being
opened. It has on several occasions asked Georgia to re-establish its
rail connection with Russia via Abkhazia, but until Georgian refugees
return to Abkhazia, the Georgian government is unlikely to accede to
this demand.
