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The Messenger, Georgia
Dec 30 2009
Armenian transit prospects
By Messenger Staff Thursday, December 31
Armenian political analysts and senior state officials all highlight
the wide prospects for economic and transport development if the
Armenian-Turkish border is reopened. Finance Minister Tigran Davtian
has stated that if the border opens Armenia will be integrated with
the Euro-Asian railway and automobile transport network and Armenian
forwarders will be able to access Europe through Turkey. This will
also facilitate Armenia's access to the Black Sea ports of Trabzon and
Samsun and considerably decrease the transportation costs of Armenian
businessmen and facilitate the development of the appropriate
infrastructure.
This optimism is challenged by some analysts, who say that if the
border is opened the closest Black Sea port will be Trabzon, but
unlike Samsun there is no railway connection with it. However the
closest Black Sea port to Armenia regardless of whether the border
opens is actually Poti in Georgia, and the route to and from there has
been established for some time.
Many different assessments are being made about the consequences of
opening the Turkish-Armenian border but they are usually expressed as
dreams and hopes for the future rather than reflecting the realities
which might occur if the border opens in the near future.
Dec 30 2009
Armenian transit prospects
By Messenger Staff Thursday, December 31
Armenian political analysts and senior state officials all highlight
the wide prospects for economic and transport development if the
Armenian-Turkish border is reopened. Finance Minister Tigran Davtian
has stated that if the border opens Armenia will be integrated with
the Euro-Asian railway and automobile transport network and Armenian
forwarders will be able to access Europe through Turkey. This will
also facilitate Armenia's access to the Black Sea ports of Trabzon and
Samsun and considerably decrease the transportation costs of Armenian
businessmen and facilitate the development of the appropriate
infrastructure.
This optimism is challenged by some analysts, who say that if the
border is opened the closest Black Sea port will be Trabzon, but
unlike Samsun there is no railway connection with it. However the
closest Black Sea port to Armenia regardless of whether the border
opens is actually Poti in Georgia, and the route to and from there has
been established for some time.
Many different assessments are being made about the consequences of
opening the Turkish-Armenian border but they are usually expressed as
dreams and hopes for the future rather than reflecting the realities
which might occur if the border opens in the near future.