IN CASE OF OPENING ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER BOTH THE ROADS AND THE RAILWAY LEADING FROM ARMENIAN TO TURKEY WILL BE EXPLOITED WITHOUT PROBLEMS

ARMENPRESS
Nov 11, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: In case of opening the
Armenian-Turkish border both the roads and the railway leading from
Armenian to Turkey will be exploited without problems. Armenian
Minister of Transport and Communication Gurgen Sargsyan noted at the
meeting with journalists that as of roads, Armenia has two entrances to
Turkey, one by Margara and the other by Gyumri, and one more entrance
by the railway.

"I have mentioned for many times that the whole railway system has
always been preserved and is in proper conditions for exploitation.

Prophylactic works have been carried out also in the segments,
which have not been exploited", G. Sargsyan said. According to him,
at the current phase it is possible to exploit the railway without
any problem, and if some investments are made, it will be possible
to realize the cargo transportation more efficiently.

To the question whether the carriages will be sufficient when
the border is open and cargo transportation volumes are extended,
the minister noted that there is no problem in that regard; there
is enough quantity of carriages. G. Sargsyan noted that there is a
certain problem connected with the width of the Armenian and Turkish
railway. The width of the railway of the two countries differs. "Our
carriages cannot pass over the Turkish territory, that problem has
always existed. In that case the cargos will be discharged into
another carriage and will go on being transporting", G. Sargsyan said.

In regard to roads, the minister noted that certain restoration works
are carried out on the road of Margara community, funded by Asian
Development Bank, and discussions run in regard to Gyumri’s segment;
it is not excluded that next year it will be restored as well.