Georgian analyst: "Turkey should open its borders to allow Armenia to benefit from regional railroad project"

"The project has regional as well as countrywide implications. A railroad is a strategic investment in several aspects. Countries through which it passes will take advantage of this opportunity," she says.

Georgia has significant potential for investment, Gelashvili points out: "Exports and imports between the two countries will expand. Once an environment of confidence is built up, Turkish investors may come here. Turkey is an important country for us. Significant commercial relations have been developed between the two countries. There is a considerable volume of Turkish goods circulating in Georgia. Turkey should make use of the potential here."

Gelashvili highlights that Armenia will benefit from the project as well despite its opposition: "The Armenians and the Azerbaijanis have a troubled relationship. But there's no such situation with Georgia. When Georgia has this railroad route, Armenia can easily use it as well. In my opinion, Turkey should also open its borders to Armenia. Then both railroads will become operational. The roads connecting the countries to each other will never become redundant," Turkish Daily News online edition informs.

It's very strange to hear such?statements from?a rep of a country which will not?put its own money into the project. As Today.Az reported earlier, Turkey and Azerbaijan will?invest?USD 450 million? for? the 300 kilometre railway. USD 200-300 million of this will be spent to build the 227 kilometre Georgian part of the railway. 191 kilometres of track in Georgia need to be repaired, and 36 built from scratch. The money will be given to Georgian Railways as an interest free loan.

It would be?better to pay back the loan first and only then to invite neighbouring country to benefit from the project.