Russia adds Armenia, Syria to North-South project

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 15 2004

Armenia and Syria have joined the North-South transport corridor
project, Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin said in a meeting
with his Armenian counterpart in Yerevan. Russian Prime Minister
Mikhail Fradkov has already signed a relevant document, he said.
Levitin emphasized that this will allow to expand the geographic area
for cargo transportation.

However, the Russian official failed to elaborate on Armenia’s
joining the project, considering the fact this country occupies the
territories of Azerbaijan, through which the route lays, and has no
relations with the country.

The North-South transport corridor project envisions transportation
of cargo from South Asia to Europe through the Persian Gulf, Caspian
Sea ports, Russia’s water channels and railways.

The corridor will allow to alter the existing routes for transportation
of container consignments and reduce the time needed to for cargo
transit.*