February 9, 2006 - 19:51 AMT
Arinc: Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars to Bring Closer Ankara, Baku and Tbilisi
Ensuring regional security and stability is an important goal of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey. In this context implementation of energy projects plays a special role here, Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc stated. "The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline project which will be realized within the coming months is of strategic importance. After that we will consolidate our effort within the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum (BTE) gas pipeline project framework, Arinc said, noting that the significance of the BTE became "even more tangible in the context of the latest developments in regard to the gas export to Europe".

As for the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway project the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament noted official Ankara attaches great attention to the commissioning of this railway. "This railway link will not only bring closer Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, it will also contribute greatly to the increase of transport deliveries from Europe to Central Asia", Arinc said, noting "he hopes the project will encourage other countries of the region to cooperation they anticipate," reported Trend news agency.

To note, Armenia is against the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway construction viewing the project as economically inexpedient, since the construction project is a counterbalance to the existing Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi-Baku railway.