KAZAKHSTAN AND CHINA JOIN KARS-AKHALKALAKI-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY PROJECT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 28, 2006

Kazakhstan and China join Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway
project, Turkish transportation minister Binali Yildirim said,
APA reports.

He said that as a modernized version of Great Silk Way, this route
will be long-time and beneficial one.

They route will allow traveling from Kars to Kazakhstan, and then,
to Shank hay and Hong-Kong.

Through this railway to be balanced with Marmray project, a train
will be able to head for China through Turkey.

"Body passengers and freight will be carried by through this pipelines
expected to be completed in two years.

Per year 20mn tonnes of freight are expected to be transported through
this pipeline. 18 mn tonnes of freights will be carried in Turkey".

He also said that railways in Eastern gate remained unused because
of Armenian-Turkish problems.

"That is why we can’t contact the Caucasus and Far East. Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Turkey is working on this issue.

Kazakhstan’s and China’s joining will give an impetus to the project.

Azerbaijan will directly gain support of Turkish Republics".

Turkey will construct 76-km part of the railway from Turkey and
Georgia. Georgia will build 25 km.

The part between Tbilisi and Baku will be repaired. Turkey will spend
250 mn.