Georgia Wants Armenia to Play Active Role in Railway Issue

Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Vano Merabishvili told reporters after talks with his visiting Armenian counterpart Serge Sarkisian that Armenia should “more active role” in the issue of restoration of the railway link between Armenia and Russia via Georgia.

“Restoration of the railway route between Armenia and Russia [via Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia] is in Georgia’s interests as well. However, as you know it is related with the return of the Georgians in Abkhazia,” Vano Merabishvili said.

Armenian has been pressing Georgia to reopen the railway link with Russia, which would give landlocked nation an easiest trade and communication route with its strategic partner – Russia.

Georgia claims that the restoration of railway will be possible if the Georgian internally displaced persons are able to return to Abkhazia.

“Armenia should use its special relations with Russia and play more active and positive role in resolving the problem,” Vano Merabishvili added.

“The issue of restoration of the Sochi-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway link is of huge importance for Armenia. So, this issue will top the agenda of talks,” Serge Sarkisian said upon his arrival in Tbilisi on April 1.