Azerbaijan to allocate $220m loan for railway building in Georgia

[Topchian Jane]

Lider TV, Baku, in Azeri
15 Sep 06


AZERBAIJAN TO ALLOCATE 220M-DOLLAR LOAN FOR RAILWAY BUILDING IN
GEORGIA



[Presenter] The Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway, which causes Armenia's
concern, may be put into operation soon. The sides are doing their
best for the implementation of the project, Georgian ambassador to
Azerbaijan Zurab Gumberidze has told Lider TV in an exclusive
interview. He said that Azerbaijan will finance part of the
construction of the main line passing through Georgia.

[Gumberidze speaking from his office in Georgian with Azeri
voice-over] Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey attach great importance to
this project. Azerbaijan is interested in a rapid operation of the
railway. Azerbaijan and Georgia have already discussed all parameters
of a credit agreement. Under the document, Azerbaijan will allocate a
220m-dollar interest-free loan for the construction of the main
railway line going through Georgia. A total of 192 km of the railway
line passing though Georgia needs restoration and 29 km needs
reconstruction. Azerbaijan has always supported Georgia. This project
once again shows friendly and fraternal relations between the states.