Everyone will benefit from unblocking regional communications - Sanosyan
YEREVAN, November 2. /ARKA/ The resumption of transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan will benefit all, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan said on Tuesday.
According to the minister, the resumption of the railroad from Yeraskh to Meghri (across Azerbaijani exclave Nakhichevan) will enable Armenia to connect to Iran via railway, Sanosyan told Armenia’s Public Television in a comment on statements that the resumption of the railroad is e more beneficial for other countries and is fraught with risks for Armenia.
He explained that part of the cargo could be transported by trains rather than by land road, without putting a strain on the latter.
"We can communicate with other countries through this railroad. Obviously, we will have economic benefits from it," Sanosyan said.
He recalled Armenia's position that transport links must be under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they pass.
According to the estimates of the Armenian Ministry of Economy, the construction of Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railroad may cost $1.2 billion. The construction of the 43-km long railway section through Armenian Meghri may require about $200 million.
If this plan succeeds, Armenia will get access to Iran and Russia through this railroad, and Azerbaijan will get a railway connection with Nakhichevan through Armenia.
Yeraskh is a settlement in Armenia's Ararat region bordering Nakhichevan; Meghri is a town in Syunik (south of Armenia, bordering Iran and Azerbaijan). Sadarak, Julfa, Ordubad and Horadiz are towns in Azerbaijan. -0-
