RUSSIA MIGHT PARTICIPATE IN IRAN-ARMENIA RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Messenger
Nov 12 2008
Georgia

There is serious speculation that Russia might play a key role
in constructing railways between Iran and Armenia. This issue was
discussed at the September meeting in Sochi between the Russian and
Armenian Presidents.

On June 1, 2008 Russian Railways received the concession to run
Armenian Railways for 25 years. The Russians renamed it South
Caucasus Railways, making a serious claim even in the name it gave
the company. However, this South Caucasus Railway has so far only
one international connection, with Georgia. Armenia’s borders with
Turkey and Azerbaijan are closed and there is no rail link between
Iran and Armenia at present.

The idea of building an Iran-Armenia connecting railway cane about
in 2006. Armenian Transport and Communications Minister Gurgen
Sarkisian says it will cost USD 2 billion approximately. A special
Iran-Armenia working group has been created and Russia will most
probably participate in this.