PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF BSEC ENCOURAGES RE-OPENING OF KARS-GYUMRI RAILWAY
Noyan Tapan
Dec 17 2007
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to energy security
were mainly discussed at the 37th assembly of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation Organization (BSEC) held in Tbilisi recently. The
Armenian delegation’s head, RA National Assembly deputy Gagik
Minasian stated at the December 17 press conference that it is said
in the report presented by Armenia that being concerned about its
energy independence, the country is building a second alternative
gas pipeline. Besides, a number of programs on renewable energy are
being implemented, including programs on a wind power station and
a hydropower plant that may meet about one third of the domestic
consumption demand. According to G. Minasian, the new nuclear power
unit with the annual capacity of 1 million kwh to be built in Armenia
may become a stable basic source of electricity not only for the
country but also for the whole region.
In his words, being guided by the principles of not creating new
separating lines, the assembly encouraged the re-opening of the
Kars-Gyumri railway, considering it as a guarantee of regional
development. At the same time, the assembly considered it wrong to
construct another bypassing railway.
The assembly made a decision to support Azerbaijan in the issue of
holding the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in this country. Armenia was
the only country to vote against.