Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Tbilisi: Russia Seeks Ways To Connect Armenia Via Georgia

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Tbilisi: Russia Seeks Ways To Connect Armenia Via Georgia

    RUSSIA SEEKS WAYS TO CONNECT ARMENIA VIA GEORGIA

    The Messenger, Georgia
    Oct 29 2014

    By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
    Wednesday, October 29

    Moscow is seeking ways to overcome difficulties and link with Armenia
    via Georgia. Andrey Belyaninov, the head of Russia?s Federal Customs
    Service stressed that the Russian side has held several meetings
    with Georgian representatives regarding this issue. He admitted
    that the Kazbegi-upper Lars checkpoint depends on climate change,
    and landslides block this road quite often.

    "There are also air cargo routes. However, these routes are very
    expensive. By the way, we are going to meet with our Turkish, Georgian
    and Azerbaijani counterparts in Georgia in November in order to discuss
    this issue. We meet our Armenian counterparts every day regarding the
    above-mentioned. Armenia does not have a common border with Russia,
    this fact creates additional problems," Belyaninov said.

    Russia has already launched the restoration of the road at the
    Dagestani section on July 2.This road was closed in 1992.

    As head of the Dagestan Auto Door, Zagid Khuchbarov said that "30
    billion rubles will be spent to build the Avaro-Kakheti road section."

    According to Khuchbarov, Ramzan Abdulatipov, the President of Dagestan,
    is paying a great deal of attention to this project.

    Georgian government members have already had to make comments over
    the issue.

    Georgia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi
    Kvirikashvili said that the construction of the Dagestan road is not
    on the agenda.

    "There are two main aspects in this case: security and economic
    benefits. Both must be analyzed by professionals and we must realize
    what the risks will be or the positives we can receive from the
    construction of the road. However, we must think twice before giving
    any permission," stated Kvirikashvili.

    The opposition United National Movement claims that the re-opening
    of the road will be risky for Georgia, as the road might be used
    as a lever for Russia to annex Georgia in the case of a future
    confrontation.

    Commenting on the threat, analyst Demur Giorkhelidze suggested that
    there is no deterrent factor that will prevent Russia from entering
    Georgia.

    "20% of Georgian territory is occupied. That's why construction of the
    new road will not change the threat of Russian intervention. When it
    comes to economic benefits, the road will not play any crucial role
    for Georgia's economy either," Giorkhelidze said.

    Fellow analyst Malkhaz Chemia believes that opening such roads are
    beneficial for countries.

    "The road is in the interests of several players. In general, common
    economic interests decrease a chance of any conflict," Chemia says.

    However, analyst in Caucasus issues, Aleko Kvakhadze, states that
    opening the road might entail serious risks to Georgia. According to
    the analyst, in the case of some confrontation between Georgia and
    Russia, the latter might use the road for its tanks and block the
    Kakheti region in a short period.

    http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/3233_october_29_2014/3233_gvanca.html


    From: Baghdasarian
Working...
X