NEGOTIATIONS ON CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA-IRAN RAILWAY
CONTINUE
04-08-2008 19:00:00 | Armenia | Economy
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 1, 2008, Armenian
Railway CJSC (South Caucasian Railways) was passed to Russian
Raiways CJSC for concession management for 30 years. Russian
Railways assumed an obligation to invest about 174.5 billion
drams in the system during this period, including 59.3 billion
drams in the first five years. The company envisages to invest 8
billion drams for purchasing rolling stock, the RA minister of
transport and communication Gurgen Sargsian said at the August 1
press conference.
In his words, with the aim of developing intercity railway
communication, the manager has already purchased 5 electric
trains, which allows to reopen Gyumri-Pemzashen-Artik and
Yerevan-Yeraskh regular routes from August 2 and Gyumri-Yerevan
route from August 3. Yerevan-Tsovagyugh route has been operated
from July 12. Besides, South Caucasian railways has signed an
agreement with a Georgian company on repairs of 1,000 goods
wagons and 23 electric trains.
The minister said that tripartite negotiations (Armenia,
Iran, Russia) on construction of Iran-Armenia railway are still
continuing. The internartional financial orhanizations operating
in Armenia also assess positively this step and are ready to
co-finance the project.