Civil Georgia, UK
April 1 2004

Georgia Wants Armenia to Play Active Role in Railway Issue

/ Civil Georgia, Tbilisi /

Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Vano
Merabishvili told reporters after talks with his visiting Armenian
counterpart Serge Sarkisian that Armenia should `more active role’ in
the issue of restoration of the railway link between Armenia and
Russia via Georgia.

`Restoration of the railway route between Armenia and Russia [via
Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia] is in Georgia’s interests as well.
However, as you know it is related with the return of the Georgians
in Abkhazia,’ Vano Merabishvili said.

Armenian has been pressing Georgia to reopen the railway link with
Russia, which would give landlocked nation an easiest trade and
communication route with its strategic partner – Russia.

Georgia claims that the restoration of railway will be possible if
the Georgian internally displaced persons are able to return to
Abkhazia.

`Armenia should use its special relations with Russia and play more
active and positive role in resolving the problem,’ Vano Merabishvili
added.

`The issue of restoration of the Sochi-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway link
is of huge importance for Armenia. So, this issue will top the agenda
of talks,’ Serge Sarkisian said upon his arrival in Tbilisi on April
1.