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OPERATION OF ABKHAZIAN RAILWAY IS COMPLICATED
Roza Hovhannisyan
14:55 18/01/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28665
The Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili stated in Yerevan
yesterday that the operation of the Abkhazian railway connecting
Armenia and Russia is a possible option.
The Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili said the prime minister's
statement is not realistic. He noted that Russia thereby wants to
legitimize the occupation of Abkhazia. Besides, Saakashvili stated that
this railway is worn, and Georgia has built the new Kars-Akhalkalaki
railway with Azerbaijan so the Abkhazian railway is not vital.
At the same time, he noted that Georgia facilitates Armenian shipments,
namely he mentioned the opening of Verin Lars, works in Poti port,
stressing that maintaining good relations with Armenia is one thing
and implementations of an occupant's plans is another thing.
Alexander Rondeli, the director of the Georgian Foundation of
Strategic and International Studies, commented on the statements of
the president and the prime minister. He noted that Saakashvili also
used to think about operating the railway but soon hindering factors
became known. Rondeli notes that the new prime minister thinks there
is an opportunity to operate this railway but it will take time.
The political scientist thinks that the operation of the railway does
not depend on Armenia and Georgia and there exists the factor of Russia
and Abkhazia. Alexander Rondeli said in this stage Saakashvili rules
out the operation of the railway.
He reminds that in this stage Abkhazia is against the operation
of the railway. The opening of the railway may promote economic
development but the issue is politically linked to the loss of the
territory of Abkhazia, which complicates the situation, the political
scientist says.
He notes that the people of Abkhazia are not keen on the railway
either. He thinks the operation of the railway is impossible in the
nearest future because the sides have different positions. If the
sides - Georgia and Russia - come to terms, one should not forget
about Abkhazia which is not recognized by us, Rondeli said.
Roza Hovhannisyan
14:55 18/01/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28665
The Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili stated in Yerevan
yesterday that the operation of the Abkhazian railway connecting
Armenia and Russia is a possible option.
The Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili said the prime minister's
statement is not realistic. He noted that Russia thereby wants to
legitimize the occupation of Abkhazia. Besides, Saakashvili stated that
this railway is worn, and Georgia has built the new Kars-Akhalkalaki
railway with Azerbaijan so the Abkhazian railway is not vital.
At the same time, he noted that Georgia facilitates Armenian shipments,
namely he mentioned the opening of Verin Lars, works in Poti port,
stressing that maintaining good relations with Armenia is one thing
and implementations of an occupant's plans is another thing.
Alexander Rondeli, the director of the Georgian Foundation of
Strategic and International Studies, commented on the statements of
the president and the prime minister. He noted that Saakashvili also
used to think about operating the railway but soon hindering factors
became known. Rondeli notes that the new prime minister thinks there
is an opportunity to operate this railway but it will take time.
The political scientist thinks that the operation of the railway does
not depend on Armenia and Georgia and there exists the factor of Russia
and Abkhazia. Alexander Rondeli said in this stage Saakashvili rules
out the operation of the railway.
He reminds that in this stage Abkhazia is against the operation
of the railway. The opening of the railway may promote economic
development but the issue is politically linked to the loss of the
territory of Abkhazia, which complicates the situation, the political
scientist says.
He notes that the people of Abkhazia are not keen on the railway
either. He thinks the operation of the railway is impossible in the
nearest future because the sides have different positions. If the
sides - Georgia and Russia - come to terms, one should not forget
about Abkhazia which is not recognized by us, Rondeli said.