Kocharyan skeptical of using Kars–Akhalkalaki railway opportunities

ArmInfo.  Armenia's second president and prime minister candidate from the "Armenia" bloc, Robert Kocharyan, has cast doubt on the opportunities opening up for  Armenia regarding access to the Kars–Akhalkalaki railway link, which  had been touted by the country's authorities.

Pointing out that Armenia exports over 90% of its agricultural  products, wine, and other alcoholic beverages to Russia, he  questioned what exactly our country could offer to Europe by  utilizing this communication route. Furthermore, Kocharyan noted that  it is difficult to call the opening of this railway link an  achievement for Armenia, given that the direct route from Armenia to  Kars is approximately 150 km, while this route, via Akhalkalaki,  would add another 600-700 km.

"It's certainly good that this opportunity has opened up, but it  would be better if we launched a direct connection with Turkey,  something the authorities have been talking about for years but not  doing," the politician said.

At the same time, Kocharyan noted that even if a direct railway route  with Turkey were to be launched, there is a need to protect domestic  agricultural producers, otherwise the country's agriculture sector  will face serious issues. Given that Armenia and Turkey are  competitors in the agricultural sphere, Kocharyan questioned what  exactly Armenians could supply in that direction.

It's worth noting that the Kars (Turkey) - Akhalkalaki (Georgia)  railway line is part of the Baku-Tbilisi- Kars strategic corridor. It  is open for freight traffic. Passenger service has not yet been  launched.

Recall, on May 24, Nikol Pashinyan announced on social media the  opening of the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway for exports from Armenia and  imports to Armenia. "I am pleased to announce that the Akhalkalaki-  Kars railway, like the Azerbaijani railway, is now open for exports  from Armenia and imports to Armenia," he stated. He described this as  a major event in the country's economic life. "I thank our partners  from Turkey and Georgia. Today, Armenia has rail links with Russia  through Georgia and Azerbaijan, and with China through Russia and  Kazakhstan. Now, there is also rail route with the European Union  through Georgia and Turkey," he noted, adding that the opening of  Armenia-Turkey, Armenia-Azerbaijan, and then Armenia-Iran railways  via Nakhichevan is expected in the future.