South-Caucasian railways intends to create international logistics center on Armenian-Turkish border

YEREVAN, April 24. /ARKA/. South-Caucasian Railways intends to create International Logistics Center on Armenian-Turkish border, the company’s press office reports.

“Taking into account a rally in Armenia-Turkey dialogue aimed at resumption of diplomatic relations and restoration of the railway link between the two countries, South-Caucasian Railways decided to open a subsidiary of organization - International Logistics Centre”, the report says.

The center will offer swift and affordable shipment on the most optimal route and with minimal harm for cargoes. The centre will be based on border station Akhuryan, which will be leased to the center.

The centre is planned to be a subsidiary society of South-Caucasian Railways. Metexim Ltd is expected to have share in it.

The idea has already been approved by Russian Railways OJSC.Elaboration of a business plan is under way now.

The South-Caucasian Railway CJSC is concession manager of the Armenian Railway Company. South-Caucasian Railway, fully owned by the Russian Railways Company, listed in its fixed assets the rolling stock of the Armenian Railways on June 1, 2008, under a concession contract of February 13, 2008.

There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey and the state border has been closed since 1993 on Ankara’s initiative.

Turkey has set a number of pre-conditions for improving bilateral relations, namely, Armenia’s abandoning the policy of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and recognizing Turkey’s present-day borders.

The thaw in relations between the two countries began from Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan on September 6, 2008. He came to Armenia at his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan’s invitation to attend a 2010 World Cup qualifier in Yerevan.-0---