RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS CONCERNED ABOUT COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS OF ARMENIA

ARMINFO News Agency
October 17, 2006 Tuesday

Today, at a press-conference on the results of the session of
the Armenian-Russian inter- parliamentary commission for economic
cooperation in Yerevan, Russian co-chairman, member of the Federation
Council Nikolay Ryzhkov said that the problem of communications has
been worrying Armenia and Russia for 16 years, and the mechanisms of
its efficient solution are not found yet.

Nevetheless, he pointed out three ways of solving Armenias’
communication problems. The first way is the ferry service. Of course,
there are some difficulties here, e.g. prohibition of crossing the
excisable commodities, but they entrusted Igor Chernyshenko, a State
Duma member, with initiating the corresponding legislative amendments
to allow the ferry service of excisable commodities. The co-chairman
also expressed discontent with the activity of the Armenian and
Russian sides in cargo formation, and emphasized that he had taken
up this issue but didn’t see the return initiative of the Armenian
side. Yet, he said that he will actively examine this problem again,
but the Armenian side should also do something.

The second way is the one through Iran. Ryzhkov said that it is not
the best variant, but the most realistic one at the moment. However,
the most efficient solution of the communication problems of the
region would be the opening of the Abkhazian railroad which requires
money and time. According to various estimations, the resumption of
the Abkhazian railroad will require some $100-200 mln, he noted.

Ryzhkov stressed that the exploitation of the railroad is not an
economical but a political problem. The Georgian authorities have
politicized this problem, and if the political forces come to a
consensus, the problem will be solved, he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress