Putin Hails Decision over Railway Resumption
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the decision of the Russian-Georgian intergovernmental commission over resumption of the railway connection via breakaway Abkhazia, news agency Interfax reported on December 17.
?This is a very good project, which will certainly benefit the economies of both Georgia and Russia, as well as contribute to the region?s economic development,? Interfax quotes Putin as saying at the meeting with Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin, who briefed the Russian President over his visit to Georgia on December 16-17, where he participated in the session of the Russian-Georgian intergovernmental commission.
On December 16 Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli and Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin, who chair the Russian-Georgian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation, signed a final protocol, which envisages setting up a joint consortium on restoration of the Russian-Georgian railway via breakaway Abkhazia.
?The signed protocol is a step ahead towards practical realization of the previously achieved agreements in Sochi,? the Russian President?s official web site quotes Putin as saying.
According to the agreement signed by the Russian and Georgian Presidents in Russia?s Black Sea report of Sochi in March 2003, the sides agreed to restore the railway connection and simultaneously launch the process of returning Georgian internally displaced persons to Abkhazia.
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