M. BRYZA: CONNECTION BETWEEN TURKEY AND GEORGIA MORE EXPEDIENT THROUGH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.01.2007 13:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ I am against the perception, that the United States
opposes to the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway project after
president George Bush signed the law, which bans to finance that
project," stated Matthew Bryza , the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State and OSCE MG American Co-Chair. In his words, the United States
has always supported projects aimed at strengthening transportation
ties.

"We are trying to develop projects, I am repeating, all the projects,
which include all the states along East-West corridor. Of course,
we would like the railway, which connects Turkey with Baku, to pass
through Armenia, since it reflects our policy. Second, from economic
point of view it is more expedient to connect Turkey and Georgia
through Armenian territory.

But we cannot make decisions on that issue. Investors themselves
push forward investment plans, which are more profitable for them. If
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia want to construct a railway, of course,
we cannot object. But we do not particularly support that project. We
hope that in near future we will see such a transportation scheme,
which includes all the countries of the region," said Bryza, APA
reports.