Building of Iran-Armenia railway and North-South highway - is priority, president of Armenia thinks

• Wednesday, January 23, 14:46

 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said when meeting with voters in Meghri on 23 January within the framework of his campaign events in Syunik region, that the building of the Iran-Armenia railway and North-South highway is priority.

Armenian President said the railroad connecting Armenia and Iran as well as North-South transport corridor will open up new opportunities for the country's external communication.

"After a large-scale preparation we have launched road construction of North-South road corridor. It is a time-consuming project, we plan to finish construction in 2017. Then Syunik residents will get an opportunity to reach Yerevan  spending just 3-4 hours instead of the present 5-7 hours. The new highway, meeting international requirements, will connect us with two neighboring states  Iran and Georgia, the incumbent president of Armenia said.

As for Iran-Armenia railway project, Sargsyan thinks it is vitally necessary as this project will give an opportunity to Armenia to partly leave the economic blockade. "This is a mega-project for fulfillment of which big funds are necessary. However, I am confident that the outlay will be covered and progress will be evident", - Sargsyan said. 

Addressing residents of Meghri, Sargsyan called them "protectors of Armenia's southern gates", and promised that gasification of Meghri and Agarak will be completed in 1,5-2 years.

The North-South transport corridor project was initiated by Russia and Iran and supposes activation of the transport flows including thanks to the building of the new transport communications on the route Russia-Iran-India. Iran and Armenia also discuss the possibility of the railway building, which will link both countries and become a part of the  North-South transport corridor.