Security Council chief hails Abkhazia railway deal, Georgian MP surprised

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia, Georgia and Abkhazia reached an agreement to open Abkhaz railway, National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan said in interview with Novosti Armenia.

“We have consent from the Georgian party, Russia and Abkhazia also agree. But this is an ongoing process and we have to understand that there are conflicting parties. The most important thing is that there’s political will to open the railway”, Baghdasaryan said.

As he noted, development of railway communication was discussed at the September 3 meeting between Presidents of Russia and Armenia Vladimir Putin and Serzh Sargsyan, where Russia expressed readiness to carry out large-scale financial investments in Armenia’s railway.

Meanwhile, a Georgian parliamentarian Victor Dolidze stated that through the opening of the railway was discussed in Georgia, no decision was passed.

He further ruled out the possibility of the decision above at the governmental level.

Restoration of a railway between Georgia and Russia through Abkhazia will benefit everybody, however, some time is necessary for the process to launch, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said in early 2013.

"Nothing will be done to the detriment of the country. Restoration of the railroad will benefit everyone. The impact will be positive, but things will take quite some time. The process will be implemented in stages in order to prevent complications," he said.