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REGIONAL DIVIDE: SARGSYAN'S GEORGIA VISIT LIKELY TO HAVE FOCUSED ON ABKHAZIA RAILROAD, CUSTOMS ISSUE
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/55420/armenia_georgia_president_sargsyan_visit_abkhaz_ra ilroad
ANALYSIS | 20.06.14 | 11:20
Photo: www.president.am
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan meeting with Georgian Prime Minister
Irakly Garibashvili in Tbilisi, June 19, 2014
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN ArmeniaNow correspondent
During a two-day visit to Georgia on June 18-19, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan also addressed the issue of the re-opening of the
Abkhazian section of the railroad connecting Armenia to Russia. But
it does not appear to be a matter for serious consideration yet. This
is approximately how the Armenian leader commented on the issue,
which, according to analysts, was to have become the key one during
Sargsyan's visiting to the neighboring country.
This means that Armenia will still remain for a long time in the
railroad blockade, which has been imposed on it not only by hostile
Turkey and Azerbaijan, but also by allied Russia. A few hours before
Sargsyan's visit to Tbilisi the Armenian leader received head of the
Russian Railways company Vladimir Yakunin, who said that Russia does
not intend to build and finance the Iran-Armenia railroad project
because now it is implementing a major railway project with Iran
through Azerbaijan. He advised that Armenia focus on the Abkhazian
railroad.
Russia also blocks offers of Iran and Western countries on the laying
of the Iran-Armenia communications. However, judging by the reaction
of Tbilisi the Abkhaz railway also appears to have little prospects
yet. Its construction is stymied by the status of Abkhazia - Moscow
and Sukhumi are trying to force Tbilisi to recognize the independence
of Abkhazia, and Georgia stubbornly refuses to do so. However, as
Georgian media write, the question of the Abkhazian railway will
soon be brought up for discussions at the National Security Council
of Georgia, but now Tbilisi is preoccupied with solving other problems.
On June 27, Georgia, as well as Moldova and Ukraine, intend to sign an
association agreement with the European Union, while Armenia, also at
the end of the month, may sign the Treaty of Accession to the Customs
(Eurasian) Union. This will mean that the Armenian-Georgian border will
become the customs border between the EU and Russia. This circumstance
may affect both the price of Russian natural gas delivered to Armenia
and the customs duties on other goods.
Apparently, customs duties were the main topic of discussions during
Sargsyan's meetings with Georgia's top leadership. Armenia's gateway
to the Customs Union and Russia lies only through Georgia, and if
Tbilisi does not agree to duty-free or other regimes, the meaning of
Armenia's accession to the Customs Union is lost.
In the official reports on the meetings of the Armenian president
in Georgia there is no word on the likely arrangements regarding the
railway or duty-free trade. Georgia has no motive to agree, moreover,
becoming part of the European Economic Area, Georgia will be carrying
out European policies. And now these policies are aimed at isolating
Russia and blocking its communications.
The issue of the opening of the railway through Abkhazia became topical
after an unexpected change of power in this breakaway republic earlier
this month. The new government in Sukhumi officially declared its
intention to become associated with the emerging Eurasian Economic
Union. However, Georgia has not shown any 'enthusiasm' over this
matter, and the Abkhazian railroad section continues to remain closed
in a region that has already been divided into "Russian and European"
parts. And Armenia remains in a state of an increasingly deepening
isolation.
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/55420/armenia_georgia_president_sargsyan_visit_abkhaz_ra ilroad
ANALYSIS | 20.06.14 | 11:20
Photo: www.president.am
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan meeting with Georgian Prime Minister
Irakly Garibashvili in Tbilisi, June 19, 2014
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN ArmeniaNow correspondent
During a two-day visit to Georgia on June 18-19, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan also addressed the issue of the re-opening of the
Abkhazian section of the railroad connecting Armenia to Russia. But
it does not appear to be a matter for serious consideration yet. This
is approximately how the Armenian leader commented on the issue,
which, according to analysts, was to have become the key one during
Sargsyan's visiting to the neighboring country.
This means that Armenia will still remain for a long time in the
railroad blockade, which has been imposed on it not only by hostile
Turkey and Azerbaijan, but also by allied Russia. A few hours before
Sargsyan's visit to Tbilisi the Armenian leader received head of the
Russian Railways company Vladimir Yakunin, who said that Russia does
not intend to build and finance the Iran-Armenia railroad project
because now it is implementing a major railway project with Iran
through Azerbaijan. He advised that Armenia focus on the Abkhazian
railroad.
Russia also blocks offers of Iran and Western countries on the laying
of the Iran-Armenia communications. However, judging by the reaction
of Tbilisi the Abkhaz railway also appears to have little prospects
yet. Its construction is stymied by the status of Abkhazia - Moscow
and Sukhumi are trying to force Tbilisi to recognize the independence
of Abkhazia, and Georgia stubbornly refuses to do so. However, as
Georgian media write, the question of the Abkhazian railway will
soon be brought up for discussions at the National Security Council
of Georgia, but now Tbilisi is preoccupied with solving other problems.
On June 27, Georgia, as well as Moldova and Ukraine, intend to sign an
association agreement with the European Union, while Armenia, also at
the end of the month, may sign the Treaty of Accession to the Customs
(Eurasian) Union. This will mean that the Armenian-Georgian border will
become the customs border between the EU and Russia. This circumstance
may affect both the price of Russian natural gas delivered to Armenia
and the customs duties on other goods.
Apparently, customs duties were the main topic of discussions during
Sargsyan's meetings with Georgia's top leadership. Armenia's gateway
to the Customs Union and Russia lies only through Georgia, and if
Tbilisi does not agree to duty-free or other regimes, the meaning of
Armenia's accession to the Customs Union is lost.
In the official reports on the meetings of the Armenian president
in Georgia there is no word on the likely arrangements regarding the
railway or duty-free trade. Georgia has no motive to agree, moreover,
becoming part of the European Economic Area, Georgia will be carrying
out European policies. And now these policies are aimed at isolating
Russia and blocking its communications.
The issue of the opening of the railway through Abkhazia became topical
after an unexpected change of power in this breakaway republic earlier
this month. The new government in Sukhumi officially declared its
intention to become associated with the emerging Eurasian Economic
Union. However, Georgia has not shown any 'enthusiasm' over this
matter, and the Abkhazian railroad section continues to remain closed
in a region that has already been divided into "Russian and European"
parts. And Armenia remains in a state of an increasingly deepening
isolation.