Zawya, UAE
June 6 2009
Railroad With Armenia Strategic
06 June 2009
Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Ali Saghaeian said the construction of
Iran-Armenia railroad is important for the two countries and the whole
region of South Caucasus.
Saghaeian told Armenian Armenpress News Agency that the railroad would
help promotion of transportation in South Caucasus, Iribnews.ir
reported.
Pointing to the Iranian experts’ visit to Armenia for investigating
the most appropriate way to implement the project, he predicted that
investors consider this project of strategic importance.
He added that Russia has called to participate in the Iran-Armenia
railroad project.
He noted the railroad deal was signed by the two countries’ presidents
during the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Tehran adding
that the experts are reviewing technical issues of the project.
The project will cost $2 billion. The World Bank and Asia Development
Bank have announced their readiness to give loan for the project.
Iran-Armenia railroad is to extend 470 kilometers, 60 kilometers in
Iran and 410 kilometers in Armenia.
Meanwhile, Iran’s nationwide railroad network has been stretched to
the southern city of Shiraz.
This came as a 506-kilometer railroad linking Shiraz in Fars province
to Isfahan, central Iran, was inaugurated. The maiden trip of the
railroad, 600 passengers were taken to the capital Tehran.
The project has absorbed over $650 million of finances in seven
years. The railroad has the capacity to transport up to 4 million
passengers and 7 million tons of cargo each year.
© Iran Daily 2009
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