Turkish-Armenian border opening will decrease turnover between Georgia and Armenia

Marat Khakov, Deputy Director General of the South Caucasus railways (the new Russian name for the former Armenian railways), has stated that when the Turkish-Armenian border opens Armenian-Georgian trade turnover will decrease by 25-30%.According to him in 2009 more than 27,000 Armenians travelled from Yerevan to Batumi and back . Many travelled on from Batumi to Turkey.

Russian and Armenian analysts stress that if the border opens Georgia will lose its transit status and this may have other negative effects. Armenia will become less dependent on Georgia, and this could be followed by a rise in separatist activity among Georgians of Armenian origin.

Marat Khakov thinks that South Caucasus railways will increase its investment in the railway infrastructure of Armenia if the border opens. Trains could start running between Turkey and Armenia within two days of any opening.