The railway from Armenia through Georgia onto Russia is a key part of the Caucasian transport system, and is beneficial for all the region, Director of LINKS, the London Information Network on Conflicts and State-building, said.

“I support the opening of the railway. However the issue is complicated because of the status of Abkhazia. By recognizing the independence of Abkhazia, Russia gained a little short term satisfaction, but has in fact shot itself in the foot because it has limited its own space for maneuver. Now it is starting to understand this, but of course it is too proud to back track,” Dennis Sammut said.

“Armenia’s decision not to join the Russia led Customs Union will not change because this is a strategic decision – in exactly the same way that extending the Russian military base for forty-nine years and joining the CSTO were strategic decisions. Taken together Armenian policy makes sense. If Armenia joins the Customs Union its dependence on Russia will be so complete that other questions will arise,” the expert said.