North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Opening of Abkhazia railroad as difficult as settlement of Karabakh conflict – expert


YEREVAN, January 29. /ARKA/. Opening of Abkhazian section of the railroad is as complicated as the settlement of Karabakh conflict, Czech expert, member of Association of European Center of Meetings between East and West Erika Lerner said.

It is difficult to establish who is most interested in it and why, she said in an online interview to Novosti-Armenia.

According to the expert, the railway issue is frequently brought up in Georgia to demonstrate the dovish attitudes of the country’s leadership.

The Armenian side is also often addressing the issue to show its diplomatic skills in “accommodating” Russia with Georgia. Yet, not Russia but Abkhazia, a de facto independent formation like Karabakh, should be accommodated with Georgia, the expert said.

“What direct arguments Armenia has for Abkhazia? Are they thinking in Armenia of asking Russia to put pressure on Abkhazia, like some believe they may ask Armenia to lean on Karabakh? This sounds very complicated”, Lerner said.

Former prime-minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili said during his visit to Yerevan in January 2013 railway operations via Abkhazia may be resumed after disputes are settled with Russia.

Opening of Abkhazian section of the railroad is of strategic importance to Armenian economy as it is the shortest way to Russia. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Armenian and Russian presidents in Moscow on September 3. –0--

http://arka.am/en/news/economy/opening_of_abkhazia_railroad_as_difficult_as_settlement_of_karabakh_conflict_expert/#sthash.wRBHlPDw.dpuf

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Armenia, Iran reiterate commitment to implement railway project

The Ministry of Transport and Communication is doing its best to call to life the “Southern Railway of Armenia” program, a project of strategic importance for the country, Minister of Transport and Communication Gagik Beglaryan said at a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Armenia Mohammad Reisi. “The technical and economic plan has been worked out and is currently under consideration,” he said.

The Ambassador emphasized the importance or the project for both Armenia and Iran and stressed that it could greatly contribute to the growth of commodity turnover between the ports of the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf.

He reiterated the commitment of the Iranian side to implement the project.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/02/14/armenia-iran-reiterate-commitment-to-implement-railway-project/

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

5 months old, but some useful information

Rasia Announces Achievement of Key Milestone for Southern Armenia Railway in Meeting with Armenian Prime Minister


DALIAN, China, September 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Prior to the start of the World Economic Forum, Rasia FZE announced in a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan the achievement of a key milestone for the Southern Armenia Railway, including the release of a highly favorable feasibility study and the recommended railway design route from China Communications Construction Company ("CCCC").

Joseph Borkowski, Chairman of Dubai-based investment firm Rasia FZE which owns the 50-year concession for the Southern Armenia Railway, highlighted the strong economic viability and regional importance of the railway, as demonstrated by the feasibility study. Having reached this key milestone, Rasia will now move towards securing essential regional cooperation for the following financing, construction and operating stages of the project.

The feasibility study results indicate that the Southern Armenia Railway will cost approximately US $3.5 billion to construct, have a length of 305 kilometers from Gagarin to Agarak, and provide a base operating capacity of 25 million tons per annum. The railway will have 84 bridges spanning 19.6 kilometers and 60 tunnels of 102.3 kilometers, comprising 40% of the total project length. The selected railway alignment is nearly 44 kilometers shorter than previously estimated from Gavar to Agarak and will include the Gagarin to Gavar connection to the existing railway network, operated by the JSC Russian Railways subsidiary South Caucasus Railway CJSC.

Mr. Borkowski expressed his sincere gratitude for the time invested by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in Dalian, China and for the strong support of Minister Beglaryan and the staff of the Ministry of Transport and Communication over the past year. Mr. Borkowski also reiterated his great satisfaction with the exceptional work and dedication of the CCCC team, enabling completion of the feasibility study ahead of schedule, and the positive technical cooperation with General Director Mr. Viktor Rebets and his team at South Caucasus Railway CJSC.

As the key missing link in the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Southern Armenia Railway will create the shortest transportation route from the ports of the Black Sea to the ports of the Persian Gulf. The Southern Armenia Railway will establish a major commodities transit corridor between Europe and the Persian Gulf region, with conservative long-term traffic volume forecasts of 18.3 million tons per annum. Once the railway is completed, transport costs and times for the region are expected to improve substantially, fostering greater regional trade and economic growth while dramatically strengthening the Armenian economy. The feasibility study suggests a National Economic IRR for Armenia exceeding 11%. The implementation of the Southern Armenia Railway Project is a top strategic priority for Armenia and the region.

SOURCE Rasia FZE

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rasia-announces-achievement-of-key-milestone-for-southern-armenia-railway-in-meeting-with-armenian-prime-minister-223792861.html

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Very important updates

http://armenpress.am/eng/news/750579/draft-for-%E2%80%9Carmenia%E2%80%99s-southern-railway%E2%80%9D-is-ready.html

Updates expected cost: 3.2 billion dollars
Expected Length: 300 km
Planned start of construction: 2016
Planned end of construction: 2022

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Chinese Investors Show Interest in Armenia-Iran Railway

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—Chinese investors are ready to finance an ambitious $3 billion project to build a railway connecting Armenia to Iran that could be launched in 2016, according to the Armenian government.

The 470-kilometer railway, which would mainly pass through Armenian territory, has been planned by the two neighboring states ever since the late 1990s. The project was formally approved by the Armenian and Iranian governments in 2009. But it has yet to get off the drawing board mainly because of their failure to attract funding for the Armenian section of the strategic transport link.

Rasia FZE, a little-known investment company based in Dubai, was granted in 2012 a 50-year concession to build and manage the 305-kilometer section to be named the Southern Armenian Railway (SAR). Rasia in turn contracted the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) group to conduct a feasibility study and recommend a cost-effective route for the railway.

Joseph Borkowski, the Rasia chairman, presented the final results of the study to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan at a meeting in Yerevan on Tuesday. According to Sargsyan’s press office, the CCCC estimates the total cost of railway construction at $3.2 billion drams, a sum equivalent to Armenia’s entire 2014 state budget.

Armenia – Senior executives from the Dubai-based investment company Rasia and China Communications Construction Company meet Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in Yerevan, 18Feb2014.Armenia – Senior executives from the Dubai-based investment company Rasia and China Communications Construction Company meet Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan in Yerevan, 18Feb2014.

“According to the submitted program, the construction work may start in 2016 and end in 2022,” the office said in a statement. It said Sargsyan stressed the need for drawing up a “roadmap” to the project’s implementation.

Sargsyan and Borkowski already discussed the CCCC’s findings when they met last September on the sidelines of an international economic forum held in the Chinese city of Dalian. A statement on that meeting released by Rasia said the government-controlled Chinese firm believes in the “strong economic viability and regional importance of the railway.”

“As the key missing link in the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Southern Armenia Railway will create the shortest transportation route from the ports of the Black Sea to the ports of the Persian Gulf,” said the statement. “The Southern Armenia Railway will establish a major commodities transit corridor between Europe and the Persian Gulf region, with conservative long-term traffic volume forecasts of 18.3 million tons per annum.”

The railway would mainly run through Armenia’s mountainous Syunik province bordering Iran. Hence the very high cost of construction, which has long raised doubts about its feasibility. “The railway will have 84 bridges spanning 19.6 kilometers and 60 tunnels of 102.3 kilometers, comprising 40 percent of the total project length,” Rasia said in September 2013.

Sargsyan’s office quoted Borkowski as saying on Tuesday that his Dubai-based company is already looking for international investors interested in the project. “It was pointed out that Chinese banks … have expressed readiness to finance 60 percent of the project,” it said without elaborating.

Armenian officials have previously referred to Russia as another potential source of funding. The Russian government and RZhD national rail company have not ruled out such possibility.

The issue was apparently on the agenda of September 2013 talks near Moscow between the Armenian and Russian presidents that were followed by the announcement of Armenia’s unexpected decision to join a Russian-led alliance of ex-Soviet statements. In a joint communique, they pledged “the continuation of joint efforts to realize infrastructure projects, including railway communication, as well as the construction of new logistical and communication routes.”

Still, the Russians have so far made no formal commitments on the Armenia-Iran rail link, which is also strongly supported by the Iranian government. The Iranian ambassador to Armenia, Mohammad Reisi, said earlier this month that the expensive project will feature large at the next meeting of an Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

http://asbarez.com/119740/chinese-investors-show-interest-in-armenia-iran-railway/

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Azerbaijan's attempt to kill off this project. I think there are very few things facing Armenia right now more important than making this project a reality and I believe Azerbaijan realizes this.


Southern Armenian Railway project depends on Iran’s position –Rasia chairman

YEREVAN, February 21. /ARKA/. Joseph Borkowski, the chairman of Dubai-based Rasia FZE Investment Company, granted in 2012 a 50-year concession by Armenian government to build and manage the 305-kilometer railway from Armenia to Iran, to be named the Southern Armenian Railway (SAR), said today the implementation of this project depends largely on Iran’s position.

Joseph Borkowski met yesterday in Yerevan with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan to present the final results of a feasibility study of the project estimated to cost some $3.2 billion.

Speaking at a news conference Borkowski said there is a competing project – a railway that may be built from Iranian Kazvin to Azerbaijani Astara. “Iran understands that if it has two competing railways neither will be viable,’ he said.

He said there is another risk –Iran’s refusal to build its portion of the 470-kilometer railway, which would mainly pass through Armenian territory. In such a case Rasia may itself finance the construction of the Iranian section.

The high cost of the project is explained by mountainous terrain through which it is supposed to pass. Specifically, it will have 19.6 km-long 64 bridges and 60 tunnels of 102.3 kilometres. The railway is to run from Gagarin station in Armenia’s Gegharkunik province to Agarak in southern Syunik and may transport up to 25 million cargos a year.

According to an Armenian government statement, the Southern Armenia Railway will create the shortest transportation route from the ports of the Black Sea to the ports of the Persian Gulf and establish a major commodities transit corridor between Europe and the Persian Gulf region.

http://arka.am/en/news/economy/southern_armenian_railway_project_depends_on_iran_s_position_rasia_chairman_/#sthash.QemaCTWr.dpuf

[UrMistake]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Iran should realise that its in her own benefit to side with Russo China Armenia road block than a turko Paki one ...there is no much that azeri can do to stop the inevitable ...chinese took already the road project ..everything is going accoring to the plans ..the turkic isolation will happen soon ...with the proper geopolitical moves armenia will become the center of caucasus next to the logical move of enlarging itself .

[bell-the-cat]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Chinese Investors Show Interest in Armenia-Iran Railway

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—Chinese investors are ready to finance an ambitious $3 billion project to build a railway connecting Armenia to Iran that could be launched in 2016, according to the Armenian government.

Very clever, the Chinese. Armenia is one of the few countries in Europe that can be influenced easily through the use of bribery. The entire goverment aparatus is corrupt and all the nation's assets are for sale at the correct price (by correct I mean not their correct value, but which corrupt person gets the price paid for the asset). However, no matter how corrupt Armenia's rulers are, blatant bribes can't be seen to be happening. So the bribe comes in the guise of infrastructure financing that can be redistibuted to and skimmed off by the bribe recipients. That's the way it works for Chinese financing in Africa. Imagine what Armenia's oligarchs could get from even 1% of that $3 billion (but it would be more like 10 to 15% as "profit" since they will get all the contracts). But what is there in Armenia that is worth $3 billion to China and which is still available for Armenia to give away? Certainly not the right to own and run a pointless railway carrying a fantasy cargo to an imaginary destination.

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Iran should realise that its in her own benefit to side with Russo China Armenia road block than a turko Paki one ...there is no much that azeri can do to stop the inevitable ...chinese took already the road project ..everything is going accoring to the plans ..the turkic isolation will happen soon ...with the proper geopolitical moves armenia will become the center of caucasus next to the logical move of enlarging itself .

I like the optimism, I hope you're right. I also don't see Iran warming up to the Azeris so easily.

Very clever, the Chinese. Armenia is one of the few countries in Europe that can be influenced easily through the use of bribery. The entire goverment aparatus is corrupt and all the nation's assets are for sale at the correct price (by correct I mean not their correct value, but which corrupt person gets the price paid for the asset). However, no matter how corrupt Armenia's rulers are, blatant bribes can't be seen to be happening. So the bribe comes in the guise of infrastructure financing that can be redistibuted to and skimmed off by the bribe recipients. That's the way it works for Chinese financing in Africa. Imagine what Armenia's oligarchs could get from even 1% of that $3 billion (but it would be more like 10 to 15% as "profit" since they will get all the contracts). But what is there in Armenia that is worth $3 billion to China and which is still available for Armenia to give away? Certainly not the right to own and run a pointless railway carrying a fantasy cargo to an imaginary destination.

I sometimes read your posts purely for the entertainment value in your delusional mentality . I'm sure having the most important and basic form of access to your only reliably neighbor is pointless. Is this how all people in Scotland are? no wonder even with independence falling on your lap and the whole world rooting for you, you people are about to reject it

[Mher]

Re: North-South Highway/Iran-Armenia Railway

Construction of the North-South Highway has been halted since late November due to "Armenia not having the knowledge and experience with such a project". Construction is supposed to start again soon. Furthermore, as an update, the cost is supposed to be 800-900 million. Also, my friend in Armenia claims Corsan Corvian Construction Company didn't send their best team for this project, rather their C team.