October 1, 2008 - 16:50 AMT
Andrey Areshev: pro-American Georgia is weak link in Caucasus communication projects
As result of the war it unleashed, Georgia is losing infrastructure projects one after another, according to a Russian expert.

"Pro-American Georgia is a weak link in Caucasus communication projects. It's quite natural that Armenia can replace it," Andrey Areshev, expert at Strategic Culture Foundation, told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"The Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku track will not be a success, since overseas transport is considerably cheaper. Finally, there is Transsib, an overland corridor from China to Europe, there is Gyumri-Kars line and there are Poti and Batumi ports," he emphasized.

"The incumbent Georgian authorities as if do everything in their power to exhaust poor economic possibilities of the country. It's not surprising that Kazakhstan has cancelled a number of projects in Georgia. It rejected construction of a terminal for cereal storage in Poti. Before, Kazmunaigas Corporation decided not to build a refinery in Batumi. Under the circumstances' Armenia's regional significance is growing. Thus, hearsay about Turkey's doubts is grounded. Political and economically insufficient projects may be wrapped up," the Russian expert said.