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NEW ROUTE: KARABAKH BUILDING SECOND ROAD TO ARMENIA
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow
07.11.11 | 13:08
Map: www.funtour.am
Karabakh is rebuilding the second road linking it with Armenia, which
passes through Karvachar. It is shorter than the main way via Goris
by 150 kilometers.
The reconstruction of the road, which is now almost impassable, is
strategic militarily and economically. While for the residents of
Stepanakert who wish to go to Yerevan almost nothing will change in
terms of the length of their journey, for residents of Karvachar the
trip will be halved. But most importantly, the cost of transporting
mining products will be reduced.
A large plant is being operated now in the area adjacent to the
Karvachar district, in the village of Drmbon. This area is rich in
gold and copper. The Base Metal Company, which is engaged in mining,
has announced the exploration of new large deposits.
The extracted ore is transported to the processing plant in Vardenis
(in Armenia, in an area bordering on the NKR's Karvachar). Now heavy
trucks are forced to make a circle through Karabakh and Armenia,
although it is only about 100 kilometers from Drmbon to Vardenis in
a straight line (now they have to take a journey of more than 500 km).
Base Metals is paying for the construction and state funding will
also be available later.
The company is the largest taxpayer and employer in Karabakh. During
the opening of the Drmbon plant 10 years ago, the government spoke
about plans of laying a railway line to Vardenis. But economic and
political problems hindered those plans.
According to Nagorno-Karabakh President Bako Sahakyan, the construction
of the road - expected to take about two yeas -- is one of the biggest
victories after the proclamation of Nagorno-Karabakh's independence
in 1991. That the NKR government has announced the laying of the road
indirectly suggests that political obstacles are overcome.
Official Baku has condemned the decision on the construction of the
roads and intended to make appeals to international organizations.
Azerbaijan also condemns the ongoing Armenian settlement policy,
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said in
a statement.
Meanwhile, international organizations reacted calmly to plans to
build the road in Karabakh, understanding that if people live in
some area, then their development and construction of infrastructure
are inevitable. Besides, a sort of time-out period is setting in at
Karabakh settlement talks.
Director of the European Programmes of the International Crisis Group
Sabine Freizer said late last week that no progress in the negotiating
process to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is expected during
the next two years. The good news, she added, is that, accordingly,
there is no likelihood of war during the next two years.
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow
07.11.11 | 13:08
Map: www.funtour.am
Karabakh is rebuilding the second road linking it with Armenia, which
passes through Karvachar. It is shorter than the main way via Goris
by 150 kilometers.
The reconstruction of the road, which is now almost impassable, is
strategic militarily and economically. While for the residents of
Stepanakert who wish to go to Yerevan almost nothing will change in
terms of the length of their journey, for residents of Karvachar the
trip will be halved. But most importantly, the cost of transporting
mining products will be reduced.
A large plant is being operated now in the area adjacent to the
Karvachar district, in the village of Drmbon. This area is rich in
gold and copper. The Base Metal Company, which is engaged in mining,
has announced the exploration of new large deposits.
The extracted ore is transported to the processing plant in Vardenis
(in Armenia, in an area bordering on the NKR's Karvachar). Now heavy
trucks are forced to make a circle through Karabakh and Armenia,
although it is only about 100 kilometers from Drmbon to Vardenis in
a straight line (now they have to take a journey of more than 500 km).
Base Metals is paying for the construction and state funding will
also be available later.
The company is the largest taxpayer and employer in Karabakh. During
the opening of the Drmbon plant 10 years ago, the government spoke
about plans of laying a railway line to Vardenis. But economic and
political problems hindered those plans.
According to Nagorno-Karabakh President Bako Sahakyan, the construction
of the road - expected to take about two yeas -- is one of the biggest
victories after the proclamation of Nagorno-Karabakh's independence
in 1991. That the NKR government has announced the laying of the road
indirectly suggests that political obstacles are overcome.
Official Baku has condemned the decision on the construction of the
roads and intended to make appeals to international organizations.
Azerbaijan also condemns the ongoing Armenian settlement policy,
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said in
a statement.
Meanwhile, international organizations reacted calmly to plans to
build the road in Karabakh, understanding that if people live in
some area, then their development and construction of infrastructure
are inevitable. Besides, a sort of time-out period is setting in at
Karabakh settlement talks.
Director of the European Programmes of the International Crisis Group
Sabine Freizer said late last week that no progress in the negotiating
process to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is expected during
the next two years. The good news, she added, is that, accordingly,
there is no likelihood of war during the next two years.