ARMENIAN TRANSPORT MINISTER: "RUSSIAN RAILROADS WILL RESTORE ARMENIA’S RAILWAY COMMUNICATION WITH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN"
Today
Jan 10 2008
Azerbaijan
Russian railroads intend to restore railway communication of Armenia
with Turkey and Azerbaijan in 2009-2010.
The due statements was made by the Minister of Transport and
Communication of Armenia Andranik Manukyan, commenting on the
transmission of Armenian railroads to concessive regulation, said at
a governmental briefing.
"In line with the package of proposals, presented for the concessive
regulation of Armenian railroads, the Russian railroads plan to open
communication with Azerbaijan in 2010 and to resume communication
with Turkey", the Minister announced.
Manukyan said that according to the package of investments opened on
December 21 of 2007, the Russian railroads suggests investing $570
million to the Armenian railroads including $230 million in the next
five years.
The Minister also reminded that in line with a 30 year investment
program, the government planned to invest $170 million to Armenian
railroads.
"Investments will rise up to $2.130 billion if transport blockade
is lifted from Armenia, Abkhaz railroad is opened and common railway
communication is restored", Manukyan said.
He noted that in line with the package of proposals opened on
January 8, the Russian Railroads propose 1.7 billion drams in a
single concessive payment to the state budget of Armenia, which is
now being discussed.
The Russian railroads and Rail India Technical and Economic Services
(RITES) passed the preliminary qualification for participation in
the tender for concessive regulation of the Armenian railroads.
As RITES later refused participation in the tender, explaining it by
the participation in another tender in Africa, the Russian Railroads
were the only candidate left.
Armenian Railroads is a state-owned company, owning the main part
of the rolling stock of the country and almost the whole railway
infrastructure ($1-307.09 drams).