Tuesday, June 6 2017 20:19
Alina Hovhannisyan

Transport-trade corridor "Abkhazia" under Swiss "mandate" can become a good alternative to "Upper Lars", "Apaven" expedition company head believes

Transport-trade corridor "Abkhazia" under Swiss "mandate" can become  a good alternative to "Upper Lars", "Apaven" expedition company head  believes

ArmInfo. With the complete  exclusion of the political aspect, the transport corridor that will  pass through Abkhazia may become an alternative to Upper Lars. The  director of the large transport and freight forwarding company Apaven  Gagik Aghajanyan expressed this opinion on June 6 at the press  conference.

"I've been waiting for the responsible people to present the real  results of the visit of our Prime Minister to Georgia, but we have  not heard anything, except for the words that the negotiations on the  implementation of the alternative to the Upper Lars transport  corridor project are in the working stage. I have long avoided  discussions about this issue, but due to the fact that calls and  questions from the media have increased, I decided to take  responsibility and speak," he said.

According to Aghajanyan's suggestion, during Karapetyan's stay in  Georgia, it was precisely this "Abkhazian" transport corridor, the  negotiations on which were started in 2008 between Russia and  Georgia. The idea is that, in the agreement between Georgia and  Russia on the launch of the transit corridor, Abkhazia as such will  not appear. Instead, the notion of a "trade corridor" that begins in  Georgia and ends in Russia will be introduced, and its exploitation  will take place through a third party, in this case, the Swiss  corporation SGS, to which the Georgian side at the customs point will  hand over the goods, after which it will be transferred in the  Russian Federation. The only condition for the agreement was that  there would be no mention of Abkhazia. According to the expert, to  date, while maintaining the same conditions, in particular, the  complete exclusion of political aspects, the implementation of this  initiative is quite possible. "For the first time I say confidently  and in a positive way about the opening of an alternative trade  corridor," he stressed.

Answering the question of the ArmInfo correspondent about the risks  of the project implementation, the head of APAVEN noted that in the  framework of these negotiations there are many persons interested in  its failure. "Those who oppose the restoration of the transport  communication (Aghajanyan did not specify the road or railroad  communication in question - Ed.) Through the territory of Abkhazia,  believe that this, albeit indirectly, will be recognition of this  territory as a separate state, independent of Georgia" he said.   According to the expert, some politicians speculate on this issue,  introducing themselves as big patriots, than there really is.  Aghajanyan stressed that the main obstacle in the implementation of  the project could be the political motives of the negotiators, each  of which will be guided solely by the interests of his country.  However, in this case, according to the expert, the interests of the  countries coincide. "Hence it is necessary to take advantage of the  uniqueness of this situation", he remarked.

To recall, the checkpoint "Upper Lars", located on the border with  the Russian side, and from the Georgian - the checkpoint "Daryal",  since the beginning of the 90s of the last century became the only  land transport road providing communication between Armenia and  Russia. The checkpoint is periodically closed - in the winter due to  avalanches, and in the spring - due to mudflows, despite the fact  that the Georgian side has done a lot of work to modernize the road  and ensure traffic safety. The former Minister of Transport and  Communications Gagik Beglaryan said in the summer of 2016 that it is  possible to open the road through the territory of South Ossetia:  "The road is in good condition, negotiations are being held  synchronously with both Tbilisi and Moscow, but very little depends  on Armenia in this case". The Armenian side has repeatedly raised the  issue of the possibility of opening the Abkhazian section of the  railway in talks, both with the Georgian and with the Russian side.  But these efforts were not successful either.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     


News
Team Telecom Armenia is undertaking its initial public offering (IPO) Team Telecom Armenia is undertaking its initial public offering (IPO) 
Groundbreaking ceremony of new Meghri checkpoint took place todayGroundbreaking ceremony of new Meghri checkpoint took place today
By end of 2023, Armenia to register 2nd largest economic growth and  lowest inflation rate among EAEU countries. But risks still remain -  EDBBy end of 2023, Armenia to register 2nd largest economic growth and  lowest inflation rate among EAEU countries. But risks still remain -  EDB
Vahan Kerobyan: Armenia may become an operator in Iranian port of  ChabaharVahan Kerobyan: Armenia may become an operator in Iranian port of  Chabahar
Tax collections overfulfilled by almost 20% - State Revenue Committee  of ArmeniaTax collections overfulfilled by almost 20% - State Revenue Committee  of Armenia
Money transfers actively flowing to Armenia from Russia are no less  actively flowing  to U.S.Money transfers actively flowing to Armenia from Russia are no less  actively flowing  to U.S.
Armenia`s economy minister meets with SME Cooperation Association  repsArmenia`s economy minister meets with SME Cooperation Association  reps
Converse Bank to present Converse Leasing product at Leasing Expo  2023 exhibition Converse Bank to present Converse Leasing product at Leasing Expo  2023 exhibition 
IDBank`s Visa Business Platinum card now with more profitable termsIDBank`s Visa Business Platinum card now with more profitable terms
Armenia, Georgia discuss joint investment projectsArmenia, Georgia discuss joint investment projects
Armswissbank issues 3 bonds from 1st of juneArmswissbank issues 3 bonds from 1st of june
Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures believes  that regular flights at Kapan airport to be launched this yearMinistry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures believes  that regular flights at Kapan airport to be launched this year
FLYONE ARMENIA launches  Yerevan-Tehran-Yerevan direct flightsFLYONE ARMENIA launches  Yerevan-Tehran-Yerevan direct flights
Decline in sales volumes in duty-free stores forced government to  ease tight restrictions on cash transactionsDecline in sales volumes in duty-free stores forced government to  ease tight restrictions on cash transactions
Vahan Kerobyan: feasibility study of Dry Port project is being  carried out by Dutch company; results to be ready in a few monthsVahan Kerobyan: feasibility study of Dry Port project is being  carried out by Dutch company; results to be ready in a few months
PSRC: there are opportunities in Armenia for construction of solar  power plants with a total installed capacity of up to 1 thousand  megawatts, but...PSRC: there are opportunities in Armenia for construction of solar  power plants with a total installed capacity of up to 1 thousand  megawatts, but...
Minister: domestic and international tourism indicators equalized in  ArmeniaMinister: domestic and international tourism indicators equalized in  Armenia
Pashinyan: Since July 1, 2023, RA citizens` pensions to be increased  once againPashinyan: Since July 1, 2023, RA citizens` pensions to be increased  once again
Growth of budget revenues conditioned by three main factors: economic  growth indicators, shadow reduction, implemented reforms - PashinyanGrowth of budget revenues conditioned by three main factors: economic  growth indicators, shadow reduction, implemented reforms - Pashinyan
AraratBank underwrites FINCA UCO bondsAraratBank underwrites FINCA UCO bonds
Team NGN`s 25Gbps network is already available to 150,000 households  in ArmeniaTeam NGN`s 25Gbps network is already available to 150,000 households  in Armenia
Pashinyan: Armenia considers it important to form collective food  security system in EAEUPashinyan: Armenia considers it important to form collective food  security system in EAEU
Trade, services and construction continue to be main drivers of  double-digit growth in economic activity in ArmeniaTrade, services and construction continue to be main drivers of  double-digit growth in economic activity in Armenia
Armenian investment crowdfunding platform ARFI and ANIF to be  presented at Orion 2023 Summit in New YorkArmenian investment crowdfunding platform ARFI and ANIF to be  presented at Orion 2023 Summit in New York
Transavia Airlines to start Marseille-Yerevan-Marseille operating  flightsTransavia Airlines to start Marseille-Yerevan-Marseille operating  flights
Georgia refutes information about launch of shipment to NovorossiyskGeorgia refutes information about launch of shipment to Novorossiysk
Batumi-Novorossiysk ferry service put into operation Batumi-Novorossiysk ferry service put into operation 
Plant producing aluminum radiators to be put into operation in  ArmeniaPlant producing aluminum radiators to be put into operation in  Armenia
Vahan Kerobyan on Vahan Kerobyan on "impressive" indicators of FDI in Armenian economy
Yerevan brandy company could stop exports to RussiaYerevan brandy company could stop exports to Russia
Kaps reservoir construction project resumed in Armenia Kaps reservoir construction project resumed in Armenia 
CMTPL E-polices sales stalled pending more visible discounts as part  of tariff liberalization CMTPL E-polices sales stalled pending more visible discounts as part  of tariff liberalization 
ANIF to invest EUR 3.9mln in Universal Closures company ANIF to invest EUR 3.9mln in Universal Closures company 
Germany to assist Armenia in strengthening local government systemGermany to assist Armenia in strengthening local government system
Fix Price announces entry into Armenia`s marketFix Price announces entry into Armenia`s market
Presentation of ROBBO company held in Armenia Presentation of ROBBO company held in Armenia 
EBRD improves its GDP growth forecast for Armenia EBRD improves its GDP growth forecast for Armenia 
FLYONE ARMENIA started operating flights on the route Yerevan-Larnaca-YerevanFLYONE ARMENIA started operating flights on the route Yerevan-Larnaca-Yerevan
Armenian Diaspora of United States is ready to invest in  technological development of ArmeniaArmenian Diaspora of United States is ready to invest in  technological development of Armenia
CBA Forecast: Inflation in Armenia to reach target level of 4% from  H2 2023CBA Forecast: Inflation in Armenia to reach target level of 4% from  H2 2023
Foreigners` transactions on buying and selling property  reduced in  ArmeniaForeigners` transactions on buying and selling property  reduced in  Armenia
In Yerevan, real estate market activity is declining, but prices  continue to riseIn Yerevan, real estate market activity is declining, but prices  continue to rise
RA citizens` perception of EU has changed dramatically. Pashinyan The  reputation of the European Union has significantly improved after the  Union decided to send an observation mission to Armenia RA citizens` perception of EU has changed dramatically. Pashinyan The  reputation of the European Union has significantly improved after the  Union decided to send an observation mission to Armenia 
German investments for the sake of Armenia`s sustainable developmentGerman investments for the sake of Armenia`s sustainable development
Bright future for solar energy in Armenia - Expert on measures to  ensure sustainable development and true independence of  energy  sectorBright future for solar energy in Armenia - Expert on measures to  ensure sustainable development and true independence of  energy  sector
EDB discusses and implements number of energy projects in Armenia -  Head of BankEDB discusses and implements number of energy projects in Armenia -  Head of Bank
EDB is ready to support Amulsar mine development project - PodguzovEDB is ready to support Amulsar mine development project - Podguzov
Armenian-Czech business forum held in Prague Armenian-Czech business forum held in Prague 
Armenia`s Finance Ministry delegation participates in experience  exchange events  organized by ICAEWArmenia`s Finance Ministry delegation participates in experience  exchange events  organized by ICAEW
EAEU expects to significantly increase volume of trade in mid term by  signing of FTZ establishment agreement with IranEAEU expects to significantly increase volume of trade in mid term by  signing of FTZ establishment agreement with Iran
Union of Banks of Armenia presented awards to employees of ArmInfo  for their professional activities in covering financial and banking  sectorUnion of Banks of Armenia presented awards to employees of ArmInfo  for their professional activities in covering financial and banking  sector
CBA Deputy Governor singles out three key factors ensuring growth of  Armenia`s economy last yearCBA Deputy Governor singles out three key factors ensuring growth of  Armenia`s economy last year
Armenia`s state treasury revenues from leasing of state property  increased by 67.7% in 2022Armenia`s state treasury revenues from leasing of state property  increased by 67.7% in 2022
WB to issue 92.3mln Euro loan to Armenia for supporting country`s  budgetWB to issue 92.3mln Euro loan to Armenia for supporting country`s  budget
Iranian company to construct modern checkpoint in Armenia`s MeghriIranian company to construct modern checkpoint in Armenia`s Meghri
Environment Ministry, KfW sign agreement for implementation of EUR 26  million program Environment Ministry, KfW sign agreement for implementation of EUR 26  million program 
43 young people graduated from joint training programme organized by GITC and HSBC Armenia43 young people graduated from joint training programme organized by GITC and HSBC Armenia
Armenian, Lebanese ministers of economy discuss development of  economic ties  Armenian, Lebanese ministers of economy discuss development of  economic ties  
Minister of Economy: Relocation impact on Armenia`s economic growth  is estimated at one thirdMinister of Economy: Relocation impact on Armenia`s economic growth  is estimated at one third
AMD 3,389,788 for the project to reveal the professional potential of war participants. The next beneficiary of AMD 3,389,788 for the project to reveal the professional potential of war participants. The next beneficiary of "The Power of One Dram" is the "Path of Life" NGO
Read more


Exchange rates
02.06.2023
RUB4.780.00
USD387.220.24
EUR416.922.43
GBP485.192.66
CAD288.653.37
JPY27.880.15
CNY54.580.05
CHF427.581.34