NEGOTIATIONS ON CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA-IRAN RAILWAY CONTINUE

Noyan Tapan

Au g 4, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 1, 2008, Armenian Railway
CJSC (South Caucasian Railways) was passed to Russian Raiways CJSC
for concession management for 30 years. Russian Railways assumed an
obligation to invest about 174.5 billion drams in the system during
this period, including 59.3 billion drams in the first five years. The
company envisages to invest 8 billion drams for purchasing rolling
stock, the RA minister of transport and communication Gurgen Sargsian
said at the August 1 press conference.

In his words, with the aim of developing intercity railway
communication, the manager has already purchased 5 electric trains,
which allows to reopen Gyumri-Pemzashen-Artik and Yerevan-Yeraskh
regular routes from August 2 and Gyumri-Yerevan route from August
3. Yerevan-Tsovagyugh route has been operated from July 12. Besides,
South Caucasian railways has signed an agreement with a Georgian
company on repairs of 1,000 goods wagons and 23 electric trains.

The minister said that tripartite negotiations (Armenia, Iran, Russia)
on construction of Iran-Armenia railway are still continuing. The
internartional financial orhanizations operating in Armenia also
assess positively this step and are ready to co-finance the project.