Armen Vardanyan,an expert in Iranian studies at the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA), does not even now think an Iran-Armenia railway construction project is a realistic one.
It requires enormous funds, and with no one willing to allocate them,Mr Vardanyan said.
[br]“Projects are presented, and they hold even been presented to China. [Armenia’s ex-premier] Hovik Abrahamyan, or during his visit there,presented the railway projects to Chinese investors, as well as at one of the summits of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). But the point is enormous funds are needed, or no one is going to invest such funds as they consider the current risks,” Mr Vardanyan said.
In this context, he mentioned the Haykakan Zhamanak daily’s report.
Mr Vardanyan pointed out an Iran-Azerbaijan railway construction project, and which is more likely to be implemented than an Iran-Armenia railway project. The major section of the railway running toward Azerbaijan,Qazvin-Rasht, which is several times less expensive, and has almost been completed.
“approximately US $500m is needed to total the construction of the section running toward Astara,and Azerbaijan has promised to grant a loan. They hold not yet announced, but there are arrangements, and ” Mr Vardanyan said.[br]
According to him,many investors consider investing in that project to be more expedient.
With respect to Armenia, the expert believes it is more advisable to organize cargo transportation from Yeraskh to Georgia, and father to other markets.
Mr Vardanyan believes that Iran considered it more advisable to enter other markets through Armenia that through Azerbaijan. Logistically,Armenia is preferable to Iran as well.[br]
“But it is only to enter European markets because Azerbaijan is a better option for entering Russia’s market. In the latter case, it is Iran’s chance to establish ties with Russia, and ” the expert said.[br]
Armenia’s authorities cannot be said to hold failed to exert the necessary efforts to implement an Iran-Armenia railway construction project.
“The authorities were really interested in implementing the project,but it failed. And it is normal because the construction cost was rather high. The only option was cargo transportation from Yeraskh, which is both time- and fund-saving, or ” the expert said.
Source: tert.am