Category: 2018

Weekly update

​25  MAY 2018

The Washington Post writes that Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo delivered his first public address on the Trump administration’s Iran
strategy at Heritage Foundation on 21 May–two weeks after President
Trump terminated the United States participation in the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action, more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Pompeo stated
that “President Trump withdrew from the deal for a simple reason: it failed to
guarantee the safety of the American people from the risk created by the
leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He also said there will be “no more
wealth creation for Iranian kleptocrats. No more acceptance of missiles landing
in Riyadh and in the Golan Heights. No more cost-free expansions of Iranian
power.”

Pompeo emphasized,
that “the JCPOA permitted the Iranian regime to use the money from the JCPOA to
boost the economic fortunes of a struggling people, but the regime’s leaders
refused to do so. Instead, the government spent its newfound treasure fueling
proxy wars across the Middle East and lining the pockets of the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hizballah, Hamas, and the Houthis.” He also added
that the United States will “continue to work with its allies to counter the
regime’s destabilizing activities in the region, block their financing of
terror, and address Iran’s proliferation of missiles and other advanced weapons
systems that threaten peace and stability. We will also ensure Iran has no path
to a nuclear weapon – not now, not ever.”

The Secretary
of State also presented a list of goals on Iran. According to Pompeo, the U.S.
will apply unprecedented financial pressure on the Iranian regime and will work
closely with the Department of Defense and regional allies to deter Iranian
aggression. He stated, that the U.S. will “advocate tirelessly for the Iranian
people.” “The regime must improve how it treats its citizens. It must protect
the human rights of every Iranian. It must cease wasting Iran’s wealth
abroad.”-said Pompeo.

During his
address, Pompeo said that President Trump “is ready, willing, and able to
negotiate a new deal” but only if Iran meets certain demands, like ending
enrichment and pursuing of plutonium reprocessing; ending its proliferation of
ballistic missiles and halting further launching or development of
nuclear-capable missile systems; ending support to Middle East terrorist
groups, including Lebanese Hizballah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad,
as well as ending its threatening behavior against its neighbors–many of whom
are U.S. allies.

Pompeo
concluded his speech with a final remark: “My final message today is, in fact,
to the Iranian people. I want to repeat President Trump’s words from October.
President Trump said that, “We stand in total solidarity with the Iranian
regime’s longest-suffering victims: its own people. The citizens of Iran have
paid a heavy price for the violence and extremism of their leaders. The Iranian
people long to reclaim their country’s proud history, its culture, its
civilization, and its cooperation with its neighbors.”

Prepared by Marina Muradyan

Pass of the week

MAY 25, 2018

M:On August 21, members of the government in the history of newly independent Armenia
for the first time in the presidential residence, their duties conscientiously
vowed to fulfill. Prime Minister Nikol was the first to take the oath
Pashinyan, then all members of the government. The text of the oath is as follows
was. “For the sake of the implementation of nationwide goals and the strengthening of the motherland, I swear
I conscientiously fulfill my obligations to the people, keep them
The Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia, promote Armenia
To be loyal to the preservation of the sovereignty and interests of the Republic
to the high rank of a member of the government”.

…from the ceremony after answering journalists հարցերին՝ Nicole: Pashinyan, in particular, to announce
is. “Me for a lot important significance has officiant nature and the people to swear in front of the very fact.” Pashinyan also say
Is it? the text of the oath while reading to analyze is of the Prime Minister status her of 13 days spent the process.
“Happy I am that exactly behave i am exactly so how planned is that oath in the text,” add
is he

of course inauguration the culture a goal in itself
no, it plays a certain role as a member of the government in order to increase the sense of duty and responsibility, to keep his inner ability and mindset in a mobilized state. The oath, if, of course, we are dealing with an honorable and conscientious official, helps him to reflect on the work he has done from time to time, give an account to himself in his own way, and strive to stay within the framework of the requirements presented to the member of the government. The balanced development of all spheres of our life activity depends on the effective work of the executive, the initial sprouts of which are encouraging. The newly formed government, before submitting its plan to the parliament, is taking the first bold steps to clarify the ways of solving the problems accumulated during the regime, to eliminate the consequences of vicious phenomena.

Այսպես՝ of education and science minister Male Harutyunyan daily struggle is
start graduation in classes illegal fundraisers,
against the abuses and unhealthy atmosphere in a number of schools. His
initiative was set for de-partisanship in universities and schools
process, as well as the beginning of dismantling the corruption schemes operating in them.
In their turn, the Republic of Armenia affairs and defense ministers Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and David Tonoyan
visited Artsakh armed forces headquarters, where Defensive
army commander, lieutenant general Levon: Mnatsakanyan presented of the conflict in the zone available operational-tactical situation, reflect at all processes that implemented and continue are implemented Artsakh defense system reinforcement direction.
“Our priority the duty to provide Artsakh and his of the people security”
in Stepanakert NKR of the president to be announced at a later date is of Armenia external affairs minister ZohrabMnatsakanyan.
Before that, the heads of the foreign and defense departments of Armenia
they visited the border of Nakhichevan, from where provocations were heard for a long time.
In particular, Ilham Aliyev declared with special arrogance that
they can Hit anywhere in Armenia from Nakhichevan
point. The Azerbaijani side actually tried engineering works
to strengthen the positions by activation, but the Armenian armed forces prevented this
promotion. According to the assessment of some experts, it is borderline of Armenian ministers together the visit no only situational-operational, other also military-political depth respond of strategy to pass testimony was
Immediately after the appointment, the new director of the NSS announced struggle
about corruption and determination to return what was stolen from the state. His
According to him, there is a list of 350 persons whose names are not subject to taxes
paid.

A promising start
were also taken other ministries and
“sworn” managers of state institutions, marking their current ones
to-do and long-term programs. In short, it seems
prerequisites there is hope that the administration of Armenia
the system begins to “thaw”.

P:back universities, as reported by the media, 2 percent of their budget
will no longer be transferred to the Youth Fund of Armenia, which is headed by the National Assembly
MP Karen Avagyan. The university rectors were informed about this by the Ministry of Education
Minister Araik Harutyunyan. “Universities continued with old inertia
pay the amount. We know what the reasons are: that fund belonged to the RPA
the main source of funding for the youth wing. That inertia is effectively enforced
that these funds should be used for the youth during and before the elections
to win, attract, recruit,” said the newly appointed minister.

…Arayik Harutyunyan confident is
that for years the Foundation to serve the “lion’s share” of funds is Republican to the party, in what? her the role is had that
the party’s youth arm boss Karen Avagyan. Since
Since 2001, more than a dozen big ones State universities Youthful to the fund to pay are their per year of the budget about 2 percent. For example: past year of organization total the budget make up is more than 700 million drams or approx
one and a half million dollar. of the budget almost 60 percent came into existence is University graduate from payments. The rest
The Foundation received 40 percent of the funding from the RA government, including the CG
from the State Science Committee of the Ministry – about 100 million drams. This is
by the way, it is hardly a structure that delivers to the “old man”, whose means are often insufficient. different programs to finance for

Judging by the Foundation 2017
annually from the report, it her multi-million dollar budget basic part fix is educational and scientific problems, spiritual, patriotic values, healthy lifestyle programs implementation. Press
according to some publications, from the Foundation before grants are received don’t public organizations for parliamentary elections timekeeping mission were իրականացնում՝ not hiding that support are To the Republican Party.
Among such are, for example, “Geghama youthful the territorial association”.
“Haik youthful national conservatives unification”
“Free society the institute” and other organizations. Of these
about the activities of some nothing famous not
many have not times contact data:
although the Youth Foundation assures that always act are transparent.

To the journalists’ questions
Answer: Minister Male Harutyunyan
noted that there is no decision yet: The government save? is it?
Youthful the foundation, or no
“but financially audit it to obey is”. so
let’s wait for the results of the “audit”.

Commented
Gevorg Lalayan

The Washington Posthas covered In “Heritage” Foundation On May 21, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s first public appearance
speech in which he presented the Trump administration’s approach to Iran
the new strategy.

Pompeo
declared. “President Trump withdrew from the agreement for a simple reason. due to the deal, it was not possible to ensure the security of the American people in Iran
from the risks created by the leadership of the Islamic Republic”. He also noted
is that “Iranian klepocrats will no longer get rich and will not be able to expand
Iranian influence”. Pompeo emphasized that the “Iranian deal” of the country
allowed the regime to use program money for the people’s economy
for prosperity, but administration leaders refused to do so.
“Instead, the government spent that money in the Middle East region
to wage wars and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,
On filling the pockets of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis,” Pompeo said.
adding that the United States “will continue to work with allies to
destabilizing actions of the regime in the region, as well
against the financing of terrorism and the spread of Iran’s missile systems, which
threaten peace and stability. Pompeo assured that the US
will try to ensure that Iran has no way to develop a nuclear weapon, “not now,
no never.”

The Ministry of State
also presented the list of Iran’s goals. Accordingly, the US is financially unprecedented
will put pressure on the Iranian regime and try to cooperate closely
Iran’s aggression with the Department of Defense and regional allies
to prevent He stated that the US protects the interests of the Iranian people.
“The regime should improve its attitude towards citizens. It should
protect the rights of every Iranian. It should stop wasting Iran
wealth abroad,” said a senior US official.

He at the same time
stressed that President Trump “is ready and can negotiate a new deal
around,” but only if Iran meets certain demands, such as
eg end plutonium enrichment and reprocessing, ballistic missiles
non-proliferation and stop the further launch of nuclear missile systems,
as well as the terrorist groups of the Middle East, including Lebanon
Demonstrating support for Hezbollah, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Pompeo his
He finished his speech with the following statement. “My final message is basically
addressed to the Iranian people. I want to repeat the words of President Trump. “We
We show our common solidarity with the longest suffering of the Iranian regime
victims to their own people. Iranian citizens have paid a heavy price for their leaders
for violence and extremism. The Iranian people must restore
proud history of his country, culture, civilization and with his neighbors
cooperation”.

Prepared by Marina Muradyan

Free chair

MAY 25, 2018

May:
On the 20th, a serviceman of the Artsakh Defense Army was killed under unknown circumstances.
1999 Grigoryan of Norayr Hamlet was born. Death came at about the hour
on the 11th, and its official announcement was made only 12 hours later, at
at 22:54. And again, for the umpteenth time, with the same wording. “It’s not clear yet
received a fatal gunshot wound under the circumstances…”.

It is very interesting that the crime is not revealed 12 hours after the murder, and the official version is presented with such a delay. After all, a soldier in a military unit is not a lonely wanderer in a barren desert. He is always surrounded by people. In the military units of Artsakh, such murders occur at least once a month. We have repeatedly raised the issues of committing suicide in the army, seeing bloody reprisals with the use of firearms, settling accounts, non-statutory relations and “dedovshchina”. Former Minister of Defense of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan did not do what was required of him. Instead, he introduced a loud voice the “nation-army” combination, which is supposed to put all the responsibility on the people, calling on them to protect the soldiers and be patriotic. In fact, patriotism is in the blood of the Armenian people, which was proven in the first Artsakh war, when the whole nation (even without the army) defended its land from the conquerors, as well as in the April 2016 four-day war, when again all Armenians of Armenia and Diaspora voluntarily stood in the defense of the homeland. And with the 1,000 drams collected from the people every month by Vigen Sargsyan, it was possible long ago to provide the soldiers with underwear (it is inconvenient to even talk about this), first with necessary accessories and uniform. Why hadn’t this been done? In the end, Vigen Sargsyan had enough budgetary means for this, he had power and a considerable period of leadership – about one and a half years. How did the new government led by Nikol Pashinyan manage to solve the mentioned problems in just one day? Vigen Sargsyan’s activities or, more precisely, his inactivity, cannot be called anything other than sneaky. After all, one of the most pressing questions of the life of our army was solved literally in one day. How was it possible to free the parents of servicemen from additional financial burden by urging them not to buy? military uniform, army shoes, underwear, toothpaste, etc. Isn’t there always money for those needs in the army? Only it is not known where that money flowed. Why were the soldiers fed with absolutely poor quality food, the consequences of which could appear years after demobilization?

Our
the army is sick and needs to be treated. This issue is long overdue. It is necessary
hold public hearings on issues of army building, outlining in the army
clear ways to eliminate non-statutory relations and corruption. If:
if our shadow economy is reduced by at least 50 percent, we will be able to significantly
increase the salaries of junior, middle and senior army officers at the same time
increasing their responsibility for staff morale.
The same applies to the police and security services.

Much has been said about the need to take an example from the Israel Defense Forces. Israel is a small country like Armenia in terms of territory, and it is surrounded by unfriendly countries. There was never a “dedovshchina” in the army there. In case of even the slightest sign of non-statutory relations, the officers of the given military unit are punished, and the military unit may be disbanded. In the early 90s of the last century, when Israel had a large influx of immigrants from the USSR, an attempt was made to bring “Dedovshchina” into the army. After the incident was revealed, all the culprits were sent to prison. Just like that. They are well aware there, but not in the armed forces statutory relations lead to the immediate collapse of the army.

Now
The “velvet” revolution in Armenia managed to form a new government.
led by Nikol Pashinyan. He was able to attract young
promising professionals who are not constrained by any corruption schemes and
with obligations. There is confidence that the army will be in order in the shortest possible time
will be brought. But one cannot be silent about a serious problem. In RA, judicial and
with the separation of executive power, democratic, non-corrupt management
the system is in no way consistent with the system of administration of Artsakh, where it has remained
legacy of the past. If we want real changes, we can’t
ignore Artsakh, otherwise it will turn out like “Swan, wolf fish and crab”
in a famous parable. And first of all, it is necessary to change the Minister of Defense of Artsakh.
as the direct commander of the Defense Army. However, it is perhaps possible
not without radical changes in the government system of the unrecognized country.

P.S.
When the article was already ready, on April 23 another message was spread
about an unfortunate event. From the military units of the south-western direction of the RA Armed Forces
Private Martin Khachatryan was killed in one on April 22. Circumstances of death
are not mentioned.

Karapet Kalenchyan

https://acnis.am/hy/ambion/19-2018

Analytics

​25  May 2018

C
from the very first days of the formation of the provisional government of Armenia in the country,
discussions, first of all, about ways to combat corruption and prepare conditions
for holding free elections. Growing information wave about large-scale
the machinations of the previous government with the state budget caused shock in all
layers of society. Citizens simply do not understand how to improve the situation
affairs in the public administration system, which has been mired in large-scale
corruption schemes. So far, the new government promises to bring to trial
society specific facts of fraud with budget funds and return these
funds to the budget.

However,
The country’s problem comes down to more than just budget theft. Complete union
capital and politics has other, no less dangerous consequences for the state.
The state budget is not only stolen, but also has no opportunity
be formed in the required volume due to the high percentage of shadow economic
activities of economic entities. These entities operate within the framework of developed
shadow mechanisms, receiving excess profits and paying shadow taxes to the top
power pyramid. Where is the beginning and where is the end of these financial flows – immediately and not
you will determine.

But
another thing can be determined: the state of affairs described above is a consequence
insecurity of property in the country. When property is not protected,
the only way to protect it is to usurp the levers of state power.
This is what we have observed in Armenia for more than two decades. And usurpation
authorities leads to inevitable consequences: the elimination of justice and paralysis
mechanism of free elections. This is the picture we see in Armenia. True, people
undermined all the shadow connections that supported such a political regime.
However, it is naive to believe that without reform in the financial and economic sphere this
the picture can be changed.   

Arises
question: why property in Armenia still does not have protection mechanisms The answer is simple: society does not recognize
the legality of this property, first of all, large. Large property
acquired illegally – it is simply usurped from the citizens of the country. And
Naturally, citizens do not recognize its legality. Natural and desire
large owners protect themselves from the claims of society through usurpation
authorities. This completes the circle. But this does not make property protected.
And here’s the thing.

Deprived
property and opportunities for the formation of state power society
involuntarily shows constant readiness to support the efforts of any authority
a property owner who encroaches on someone else’s property. If some large owner
opposes himself to those in power, he puts his property under
threat. This property is easily taken away “to applause”
disadvantaged citizens. That is, pushed aside from politics and usurped national wealth
society turns into an ally of the next usurper of property “on
at the top.” Thus, the nihilistic attitude of society towards power and
large owners becomes the main condition for internal coups and
redistribution of property in the “clan-oligarchic” system.

Given
The above arguments allow us to construct an algorithm for property insecurity, and
namely:

• large
  owners usurp power from society and use property for
  the matter of removing society from the mechanisms of power formation;
• society
  sees large owners as his political opponents,
  pushing him away from the mechanism of formation of legitimate power;
•  
• deprived
  property, society is not inclined to recognize the legality of property and
  tends to support any efforts to redistribute property.

In
throughout this algorithm, the main circumstance is that society does not
tends to recognize property received “from above” as legitimate.
This is a sufficient basis for the permanent redistribution of property from
side of anyone. Property is always a target
political processes.

Main
the conclusion may be that the property can receive sufficient guarantees
security if society becomes involved in protecting property. That is, guarantees
Property security can originate in society, not in government.

But
society can come to the defense of property if it sees in
owners are not enemies, but allies in the formation of a fair
living arrangements. Nothing else can unite the have-nots with the haves. B
in concrete terms, this requires a radical change in the position of the owners
in the formation of state power capable of defending the interests
society.

Modern
It’s not easy for the owners who formed their fortunes based on power
understand this logic. Indeed, to understand that from speaking with society in the language
bribery and the practice of pushing society away from the mechanisms of power formation,
it is more profitable to move to an alliance with society in the formation of elected authorities and to
The practice of sharing financial opportunities with society is not easy for owners.

Undoubtedly
the owners may come to understand that the matter of protecting property
it is necessary to link not to relationships with the authorities, but to relationships with
society. Understanding that property must be removed from the field of political
processes, passing on political opportunities to society. “Tax” in exchange
protection of property should be given not to a higher authority, but to society, assigning
arrows of public nihilism from oneself towards the authorities.

A
the logic is that if in the matter of forming legal power the owners
become allies of society, then power becomes
powerless in redistributing property, because with such
intentions of the authorities, society will come to the defense of the owners, seeing in them
source of their wealth and allies in protecting their political and
economic rights. This would be the beginning of the formation first joint
interests of the haves and have-nots of society – interest in creating a system of universal legal
protection.

Given
in this article, the analysis allows us to assert that the key task of Armenia
is the implementation of a program to protect property and release policies from
the dictates of capital. This can be done by passing a number of laws regulating
economic and political activity. Economic amnesty subject to payment
large owners of compensation tax to society – the most effective organizing method
states. Parallel adoption of the law on parties, closing the way
businessmen into the public administration system – the second bracket dividing
the world of politics from the world of capital. Everything else in the state will be ordered according to
“Domino principle”.

Manvel Sargsyan

https://acnis.am/ru/analysis/19-2018-ru

AGBU of New England celebrates 110 years of history and progress this
weekend as they pay tribute to the founding of AGBU New England and look
forward to the tradition of excellence in action.

ABN is joining the celebrations in show of support to our AGBU members and
the organization that has supported Armenians and the Armenian community since
its inception. The AGBU events planning committee has prepared a wonderful
program for this weekend. Please review the following events and make an effort
to join the festivities.

Kavkazsky Uzel reported that on 9 November 2011, Russia and Georgia signed a bilateral agreement on the customs administration and monitoring of trade in commodities. The Swiss SGS company was charged with controlling the flow of cargoes between Georgia and Russia via Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to the contract signed on 19 December 2017 between Georgia and the SGS company, transport corridors alternative to the Georgian Military Road [that connects Georgia with Russia] can be used only in force-majeure circumstances.

On 24 May, negotiations were held in Prague between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin and Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy [for Relations with Russia] Zurab Abashidze. According to preliminary information, they agreed to set up a working group for the implementation of the 2011 intergovernmental agreement on creating trade corridors via the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Kommersant reported on the same day.

All South Caucasus countries interested in opening trade corridors

“Despite the recent revival of discussions over the opening of the so-called ‘trade corridors’ between Russia and Georgia via the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, switching the affairs to practical deeds in this direction can hardly be expected in the near future,” a member of the Azerbaijani National Public Committee for European Integration (ANPCEI), Togrul Cuvarli, told Kavkazsky Uzel.

He said that for the time being, it was a question of preliminary agreement on setting up a working group on trade corridors. Certain time would be necessary to form the composition of the group, but even the creation of this group was no guarantee that all problems would be resolved very quickly, Cuvarli said. For example, the special working group for elaborating a draft convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea had worked for almost 20 years now and had held 49 meeting over the period, but the work was still continuing, he said.

Cuvarli also pointed to political difficulties linked to the opening of the trade corridors. The governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, whom Georgia does not recognise, insist that they must be mentioned in agreements in the capacity of equal parties. Therefore, a long and complicated process of searching for compromises is still ahead, the expert believes.

Cuvarli also added that many were interested in opening the trade corridors. “Georgia itself hopes to diversify its transport routes and soften relations with Moscow in order to broaden opportunities of exports to Russia. In addition, by restoring economic ties, Georgia may lay foundations for the reintegration of the regions it has lost control over. Abkhazia and South Ossetia have their interests in these projects. The economies of these regions are at a low ebb and in an impasse and their transformation into transit territories could bring them some economic activity,” Cuvarli said.

Togrul Cuvarli pointed to the growing goods turnover between Turkey and Russia. Railway routes connecting the Russian Federation and Turkey may meet in Georgia and there may be direct railway deliveries without the need in shifting cargoes from ground transport to maritime transport and vice versa.

Cuvarli believes that the project is particularly interesting to Armenia. “Armenia is probably interested in this more than others. By means of the opening of the corridor via Abkhazia, it counts on removing the railway blockade, which is due to its own actions that led the conflict with Azerbaijan and the lack of relations with Turkey. This could help to add at least some freshness to the Armenian economy. Russia counts on facilitating the resolution of problems linked to delivering supplies to its military groupings in Armenia by using the same corridor,” the expert thinks.

Azerbaijan may be dissatisfied with lifting blockade from Armenia

The opening of the corridors for Armenia may raise some questions in relations between Baku and Tbilisi, Togrul Cuvarli noted. Over the past 20 years, Baku has done a lot for developing Georgia economically and supplying it with energy and, of course, it would be desirable that Georgia not take steps leading to the lifting of economic blockade from Armenia, which Azerbaijan is at war with, Cuvarli explained.

“However, in politics, partners never satisfy your interests by 100 per cent. Azerbaijan and Georgia will anyway continue to be economic allies, as they have mutual interests in each other,” Togrul Cuvarli said, particularly because, as he added, the opening of the corridors via Abkhazia and South Ossetia does not at all endanger Azerbaijan’s economic interests in Georgia.

Natiq Cafarli, a member of the [Azerbaijani] Maclis [Parliament] from the Republican Alternative [ReAl] party, noted that Azerbaijan’s attitude towards the plans for opening railway communications between Russia and Georgia via Abkhazia was critical. The functioning of this corridor is advantageous for Armenia that will use part of economic dividends on strengthening its army and will hold a tougher position at negotiations on Karabakh settlement, Cafarli told Kavkazsky Uzel.

However, Georgia’s aspiration in itself to restore its positions in the Russian market undermined after the war in 2008, is not at all an alternative to Georgia’s cooperation with Azerbaijan in the economic and transport sectors, Natiq Cafarli believes.

Azerbaijan counts on increasing shipments on Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway

Due to the opening of the trade corridors via Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Azerbaijan will be able to increase cargo shipments on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, the Caspian Barrel Oil Research Centre Head Ilham Saban said. The more cargoes there are, the quicker Azerbaijan will cover its expenditures on the construction of the BTK, as the Azerbaijani side financed construction on Georgian territory, he noted.

According to ZAO [Closed Joint Stock Company] Azerbaijani Railways, about 1,000 containers have been transported on the BTK since it was put into operation [on 30 October 20117]. These have mostly been cargoes from the PRC [People’s Republic of China] and Kazakhstan and back from Turkey.

The start of a new international maritime trade terminal in Baku on 14 May must also facilitate an increase in cargo shipments on the BTK, Kavkazsky Uzel was told at the company.

According to Togrul Cuvarli, 1,000 containers is a very low figure. “This is about 40-50 trains – 50-60 tonnes. However, this is just the beginning, as only six months have passed. It is in case of gas pipeline projects that all amounts of shipments are determined many years in advance. Things are different in case of transportation. The BTK has good prospects in light of the opening of new ports on both sides of the Caspian Sea recently. A new port was opened in Baku on 14 May. The Kuryk port in Kazakhstan and the new Turkmenbasi port in Turkmenistan were put into operation before that. The start of new ports will significantly increase flows of cargoes via the East-West corridors,” Cuvarli told Kavkazsky Uzel.

The opening of the Baku international maritime trade port located in the Alat settlement 60 km to the south-west of Baku was held on 14 May. The capacity of the port is 15m tonnes of dry cargoes, including 100,000 containers. After the second stage is complete, the capacity of the port is planned to be increased to 17m tonnes of cargoes and 150,000 containers and up to 25m tonnes and 1m containers after the completion of the third stage, Interfax reported on the same day.