Armenia interested in opening railway route to Russia via Abkhazia

Recently, in Yerevan, a Russian-Armenian economic cooperation, 8 year program was signed. But this cooperation and trade turnover depends much on the existence of transport links between the two countries. Both sides agree that a railway connection between the two countries is vitally important. Today, Armenia’s railways are run by Russian railways under the name of South Caucasus railways. It manages the railway routes inside the country as well as in the direction of Batumi and Poti in Georgia. Due to the conflict in Azerbaijan, this direction, as well as connections with Turkey is not possible. So far, most of the cargo to/from Armenia to/from Russia is operated again via Georgia by tracks though the Larsi Georgian-Russian checkpoint. Therefore, the possibility of opening the Abkhazian segment of Georgian railways and connecting it with the Georgian railways system is a vital interest of Armenia. So far this issue was neglected by the Georgian side but under the new leadership this may change.