CHINA AND KAZAKHSTAN INTERESTED IN KARS-TBILISI-BAKU RAIL PROJECT
ArmRadio.am
28.08.2006 15:45
China and Kazakhstan are interested in the project of construction
of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway bypassing Armenia, "National Interests"
news agency of Kazakhstan reports, referring to Turkish media.
The source notes that the Chinese intend to join the construction
of the railway, which should start in 2007. In case the project
is a success, Turkey will turn into the major transport and energy
corridor linking Europe, Caucasus and Asia. It is supposed that the
railway will transport 20 million tones of cargoes annually. After
the exploitation of the transport network, Kars city will be linked
to Shanghai. The Kazakh agency reports that Turkey connects great
hopes with the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku rail project, which, Ankara is sure,
will fundamentally change the face of the region. The railway will
establish an immediate link between Azerbaijan and Turkey, which
goes in line with the strategy of Baku and Ankara to reinforce the
military-political relations.
To remind, the project will cost $400 million. According to some
Turkish experts, the accomplishment of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku project
will lead to the considerable weakening of Armenia’s and Russia’s
positions in the region.