Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
May 20 2006

Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey transport ministers to discuss
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki Railway Print

Friday , 19 May 2006

Over the first week of June 2006 the Transport Ministers of
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia will meet to discuss the ways for
further impanation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki project, Turan
Morali, the Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Trend in an
exclusive interview.

“The meeting to be held in Baku will take resolution on establishment
of a joint company or consortium on construction. Moreover, the
participation share of the countries in the project will also be
defined,” the Ambassador said adding that feasibility study of the
project has been developed.

Upon taking a resolution on the commencement of the construction of
the road, there should be achieved an agreement on the model of
financing the construction.

In this stage Ankara will appeal to one of the international
financial organizations.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki project stipulates the rehabilitation of
the exiting railway, as well as the construction of new railway
section.

It is reported that Turkish Government desires to see Armenia in
regional transportation projects, however Armenia refuse to recognise
Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s national borders. In addition, about 20
percent of Azeri territories have been under Armenian occupation.