Ferry repairs suspend cargo exchanges between Russia, Armenia
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 13, 2004 Monday

YEREVAN, September 13 — All haulage of cargo between Russia and
Armenia by motor vehicles has been suspended as Bulgaria’s Meridien
Company that operates the Burgas-Poti-Novorossisk navigation line
linking Bulgaria to Georgia to Russia has notified its partners that
it suspends operations until September 27 because the ferry needs
repairs, CEO of Yerevan-based Apaven Company Gagik Agadzhanian told
Itar-Tass on Monday.

“The suspension of the operation of the Bulgarian ferry is giving rise
to new problems for the Armenian national economy. Armenia has no
common border with Russia and the two countries’ exchanges of goods
have to use first the Black Sea routes and then rely on transit via
Georgia,” he said.

At present, 25 heavy trucks with goods from Russia are en route to
Armenia. It is not clear when they will be able to reach destination.