Georgian-Abkhaz railway to be renewed

The Messenger, Georgia
Nov 24 2004

The renewal of railway communications between Tbilisi and Sokhumi
will be discussed at a session of the tripartite working group to be
held in Russia, Prime News reports.

Head of the Russian Federal Agency of Railway Transit Mikhail Akulov
told journalists that recent negotiations between the Russian Minister
of Transport Igor Levitin and the presidents, prime ministers and
co-chairmen of intergovernmental commissions of Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan had created a basis for opening discussion of the issue.

However, he noted that “there were some technical problems, such as
the unsatisfactory condition of the railway from Sokhumi to Samtredia”
which would need to be addressed.

He said that the Georgian side plans to present a technical review
of this railway section to Russia in the near future.

According to the Georgian side, improving the line from the border
with Russia to Samtredia will cost USD 40 million.