BLACK SEA RING HIGHWAY

Azat Artsakh Tert, Nagorno Karabakh Republcic
Feb 7 2008

Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Turkey are planning to launch
Black Sea Ring Highway project supposing ferry communication,
Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin said. Kavkaz-Kerch (Ukraine)
and Kavkaz-Poti (Georgia) are functioning. The project includes
establishment of ferry communication with Varna (Bulgaria) and Istanbul
(Turkey).

According to the Minister, the Black Sea Ring Highway project is
supposed to be implemented in 2010-2015. The cargo traffic will raise
from 2.000.000 to some 5.000.000 tons. In all, 12 ferries will be put
into operation. "We don’t think there can be problems with Georgia
except for some tariff issues. Anyway, Georgia can’t block the cargo
pass," Mr Levitin said, Georgia Online reports.