Information on Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku line inexpedience resembles bluffSeptember 30, 2008 - 17:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Reports on inexpedience of Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku are far from being real and resemble a bluff, said a contributing analyst at Jane's Information Group."Turkey just offered to build a new Kars-Gyumri line to engage Armenia into the project. At that, it doesn't imply repair of the existing track but construction of a new one," Richard Giragosian commented to a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. Reports say that during the September 16 coordination council meeting, the Turkish side questioned advisability of the project in connection with the recent regional development. In total 98 kilometers (61 mi), the line is supposed to be built between Kars and Akhalkalaki, with 68 kilometers (42 mi) within Turkey and 30 kilometers (19 mi) in Georgia. The existing line from Akhalkalaki on to Tbilisi and Baku will be modernized. For the construction of the railroad on Georgian territory, Azerbaijan is providing a US$220 million loan, repayable in 25 years, with an annual interest rate of only 1%. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |