Armenian Transport Minister: "Russian railroads will restore Armenia's railway communication with Turkey and Azerbaijan"

The due statements was made by the Minister of Transport and Communication of Armenia Andranik Manukyan, commenting on the transmission of Armenian railroads to concessive regulation, said at a governmental briefing.

"In line with the package of proposals, presented for the concessive regulation of Armenian railroads, the Russian railroads plan to open communication with Azerbaijan in 2010 and to resume communication with Turkey", the Minister announced.

Manukyan said that according to the package of investments opened on December 21 of 2007, the Russian railroads suggests investing $570 million to the Armenian railroads including $230 million in the next five years.

The Minister also reminded that in line with a 30 year investment program, the government planned to invest $170 million to Armenian railroads.

"Investments will rise up to $2.130 billion if transport blockade is lifted from Armenia, Abkhaz railroad is opened and common railway communication is restored", Manukyan said.


He noted that in line with the package of proposals opened on January 8, the Russian Railroads propose 1.7 billion drams in a single concessive payment to the state budget of Armenia, which is now being discussed.

The Russian railroads and Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) passed the preliminary qualification for participation in the tender for concessive regulation of the Armenian railroads.

As RITES later refused participation in the tender, explaining it by the participation in another tender in Africa, the Russian Railroads were the only candidate left.

Armenian Railroads is a state-owned company, owning the main part of the rolling stock of the country and almost the whole railway infrastructure ($1-307.09 drams).

/Day.Az/