The Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railroad is one of immense dispute. The reason? Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have tried laborously to keep the project amongst themselves, which would have negative economic consequences for Armenia. It would essentially create strong economic ties between the participating countries, so an exclusion could be costly, both politically and otherwise. In 1992, Turkey imposed a blockade which brought to halt the Kars-Gyumri railroad, which is the main rail connection between Armenia and Turkey. But there may be some good news now.
Earlier, the US president approved a bill banning state financing of the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railroad. Earlier, the bill was passed by the House of Representatives, and then by the Senate. “We call upon Turkey to revise the policy of alienating Armenia, put an end to the 13-year-old blockade and take actions directed at cooperation with its neighbors,” the statement says.
The document contains an amendment proposed by Senators Robert Menendez and Rick Santorini, which rules out financing by the Export-Import Bank of the construction of the railway that would isolate Armenia from the economic and regional transport corridor with average estimated cost of $400 mln.
And who says Armenia has no one fighting for them? Unless those three countries figure out another way of keeping Armenia out, it seems to be looking good for us thus far!
Source: Regnum
Reference: ArmeniaNow
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