http://arka.am/en/news/politics/russian_expert_says_moscow_to_have_direct_border_w ith_armenia/
Russian expert says Moscow to have direct border with Armenia
December 18, 2013
YEREVAN, December 18. / ARKA /. A Russian political expert told an
international conference in Yerevan today that Russia and Armenia
would have soon a 'direct' border.
According to Mikhail Chernov, deputy director of the Center of
Strategic Situations, when Armenia announced its decision to join the
Customs Union, many people questioned its ability to function as a
full member of the trade bloc because of absence of common border with
any of its members.
However, according to Chernov, this should not worry Armenians because
the current situation would change soon.
"There will be direct border between Russia and Armenia and it is a
matter of the near future. Russia will be linked directly to Armenia
by means of transport and infrastructure facilities,' he said,
elaborating, that this would be achieved through development of
Trans-Caucasus transport corridors, which were started back by the
Russian Empire and improved by the Soviet Union.
"The main highway that will link the North Caucasus and West
Kazakhstan with the South Caucasus is the Trans-Caucasian Highway.
Now there is a motor road connecting Russian Vladikavkaz with South
Ossetia's Tskhinvali and stretching further to Armenia. This road
should be upgraded for all types of cargo, including heavy combat
military machines," he said, according to Novosti Armenia news agency.
He went on to say that a just solution to the South Ossetian issue
would enable Russia a direct access to the South Caucasus, including
Armenia. Chernov added that although South Ossetia is recognized by
Russia as an independent state, there are big questions regarding its
borders.
He said the rights of 30,000 South Ossetians driven out from Trialeti,
a region bordering the predominantly Armenian-populated Javakheti
province in South Georgia, should be restored. According to him, this
applies also to Kazbegi region of Georgia, through which the Georgian
Military Road runs. The changing of Ossetia's border is related to
development of transport infrastructure, he added.
Thus, he said, Russia would have a direct access to South Caucasus
countries, including Armenia. Chernov underlined that neither of
Russian transport projects involve military scenarios.
From: Baghdasarian
Russian expert says Moscow to have direct border with Armenia
December 18, 2013
YEREVAN, December 18. / ARKA /. A Russian political expert told an
international conference in Yerevan today that Russia and Armenia
would have soon a 'direct' border.
According to Mikhail Chernov, deputy director of the Center of
Strategic Situations, when Armenia announced its decision to join the
Customs Union, many people questioned its ability to function as a
full member of the trade bloc because of absence of common border with
any of its members.
However, according to Chernov, this should not worry Armenians because
the current situation would change soon.
"There will be direct border between Russia and Armenia and it is a
matter of the near future. Russia will be linked directly to Armenia
by means of transport and infrastructure facilities,' he said,
elaborating, that this would be achieved through development of
Trans-Caucasus transport corridors, which were started back by the
Russian Empire and improved by the Soviet Union.
"The main highway that will link the North Caucasus and West
Kazakhstan with the South Caucasus is the Trans-Caucasian Highway.
Now there is a motor road connecting Russian Vladikavkaz with South
Ossetia's Tskhinvali and stretching further to Armenia. This road
should be upgraded for all types of cargo, including heavy combat
military machines," he said, according to Novosti Armenia news agency.
He went on to say that a just solution to the South Ossetian issue
would enable Russia a direct access to the South Caucasus, including
Armenia. Chernov added that although South Ossetia is recognized by
Russia as an independent state, there are big questions regarding its
borders.
He said the rights of 30,000 South Ossetians driven out from Trialeti,
a region bordering the predominantly Armenian-populated Javakheti
province in South Georgia, should be restored. According to him, this
applies also to Kazbegi region of Georgia, through which the Georgian
Military Road runs. The changing of Ossetia's border is related to
development of transport infrastructure, he added.
Thus, he said, Russia would have a direct access to South Caucasus
countries, including Armenia. Chernov underlined that neither of
Russian transport projects involve military scenarios.
From: Baghdasarian