Armenia’s government considers acquisition of ferryboat for transporting goods across Black Sea inappropriate, minister says
17.04.2019,
16:54
Armenia’s government considers acquisition of a ferryboat for transporting goods across the Black Sea inappropriate, but would welcome private investors, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technologies Hakob Arshakyan said at a press conference on Wednesday.
YEREVAN, April 17. /ARKA/. Armenia’s government considers acquisition of a ferryboat for transporting goods across the Black Sea inappropriate, but would welcome private investors, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technologies Hakob Arshakyan said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The Upper Lars border crossing on the Russian-Georgian border is the only overland route connecting Armenia with Russia and other countries. In winter, it is often closed because of the threat of avalanches. In spring and autumn the road is shut down by the threat of mudslides.
"Armenian authorities had already looked into the possibility of acquiring a ferryboat; however, given its low load, its operation becomes very expensive. Therefore, we consider acquisition of a ferryboat to be inappropriate, although we continue search for potential private investors," said Arshakyan.
As for other alternative ways of cargo transportation from Armenia, according to the minister, negotiations between Georgia and Russia with the participation of Swiss mediator continue.
Last year Russia finally inked an agreement with the Swiss company SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance SA), to carry out monitoring of goods passing through the border with Georgia. SGS is to carry out customs monitoring and administrative procedures according to a deal reached between Georgia and Russia in 2011. The Swiss-mediated deal was a condition set by Georgia for supporting Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization.
The agreement foresees the creation of three trade corridors, two of them through the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. SGS is to monitor the flow of goods and commodities in these corridors. Georgia signed a contract with SGS on December 19, 2017 in Bern.
One corridor starts at the Russian Sochi, then passes through Abkhazia and ends at Georgian Zugdidi. The second corridor starts at the village of Narman in Russian North Ossetia, then runs through South Ossetia and ends at Georgian Gori. The third corridor will be at Upper Lars customs.
"The parties (Russia and Georgia) are still discussing the possibility of launching the corridor through South Ossetia, and there is certain progress. But since Armenia is not directly involved in the negotiations, I will refrain from additional comments," said Arshakyan. --0--
The Upper Lars border crossing on the Russian-Georgian border is the only overland route connecting Armenia with Russia and other countries. In winter, it is often closed because of the threat of avalanches. In spring and autumn the road is shut down by the threat of mudslides.
"Armenian authorities had already looked into the possibility of acquiring a ferryboat; however, given its low load, its operation becomes very expensive. Therefore, we consider acquisition of a ferryboat to be inappropriate, although we continue search for potential private investors," said Arshakyan.
As for other alternative ways of cargo transportation from Armenia, according to the minister, negotiations between Georgia and Russia with the participation of Swiss mediator continue.
Last year Russia finally inked an agreement with the Swiss company SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance SA), to carry out monitoring of goods passing through the border with Georgia. SGS is to carry out customs monitoring and administrative procedures according to a deal reached between Georgia and Russia in 2011. The Swiss-mediated deal was a condition set by Georgia for supporting Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization.
The agreement foresees the creation of three trade corridors, two of them through the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. SGS is to monitor the flow of goods and commodities in these corridors. Georgia signed a contract with SGS on December 19, 2017 in Bern.
One corridor starts at the Russian Sochi, then passes through Abkhazia and ends at Georgian Zugdidi. The second corridor starts at the village of Narman in Russian North Ossetia, then runs through South Ossetia and ends at Georgian Gori. The third corridor will be at Upper Lars customs.
"The parties (Russia and Georgia) are still discussing the possibility of launching the corridor through South Ossetia, and there is certain progress. But since Armenia is not directly involved in the negotiations, I will refrain from additional comments," said Arshakyan. --0--
