RYZHKOV: RESUMPTION OF RAILWAY COMMUNICATION WILL END ARMENIA’S TRANSPORTATION BLOCKADE

November 06, 2013 | 15:59

YEREVAN. – The railway link with Russia via Abkhazia is the key issue
that can end the transportation blockade of Armenia.

Nikolai Ryzhkov, Co-Chairman of the Russian-Armenian Commission on
Interparliamentary Cooperation and Chairman of the Russian Commission
on Natural Monopolies, noted the abovementioned at Wednesday’s press
conference in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan.

“The blockade primarily impacts the socioeconomic life in Armenia.

Numerous freights are conducted via Georgia, but the transportation
fees increase completely there,” Ryzhkov noted.

In his words, the Customs Union will contribute to the resumption
this railway communication and, as a result, the situation will
change fundamentally.

The Russian official, however, found it difficult to answer the
query as to how much it would cost to reopen this 80-kilometer-long
railway link.

“The cost is a complicated but a secondary matter. The important thing
is to make a political decision on restoring [the railway link],”
he added.

But, in Nikolai Ryzhkov’s words, Armenia likewise has to negotiate
with Georgia to reach a respective compromise.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress