CHINESE AND KAZAKHS INTEND TO JOIN KARS-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Yerevan, August 28. ArmInfo. China and Kazakhstan got interested in
the Project of Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway construction, passing over
Armenia, Kazakh "IA" informs with reference to Turkish Mass Media.

The source noted that the Chinese intend to join the railway
construction to be launched in 2007. In case of the Project success,
Turkey will become the main transport and power corridor, which
bounds Europe, Caucasus and Asia by a ground transport and power
communications. The Turkish representatives had already called this
Project a "New Silk Way from Asia to Europe". It is envisaged that
the annual cargo turnover by this railway will be no less than 20
mln tons. After the transport network commissioning, the town of
Kars will be joined with Chinese Shanghai. The Kazakh Agency informs
Turkey pins great hopes on Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway Project which,
as to Ankara, will radically change the whole region face.

Kars-Tbilisi-Baku will establish a direct connection between Azerbaijan
and Turkey which is an important element, meeting the strategy of
Ankara and Baku for strengthening of all-round military-political
relations.

To be reminded, about $400 mln is envisaged to direct for the Project
implementation. In the opinion of some Turkish experts, in case of
Kars-Tbilisi-Baku Project fulfillment, positions of Armenia and Russia
in the region will greatly weaken.