Georgia to lose out from opening of Turkish-Armenian border

Thursday, 04 February 2010 13:38

The opening of the Turkish-Armenian border will deprive Georgia of its monopoly on road and rail transport to Armenia.

Georgia has no interest in the opening of the border, Armenian MP Shirak Torosyan, chairman of the Javakhk Patriotic Union, told a press conference.

He was commenting on Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri's visit to Armenia last week.
“The opening of the border will mean Georgia no longer has a monopoly on shipments and roads leading to Armenia,” Torosyan said.

During his visit to Yerevan, Gilauri stated that the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border would not affect shipment tariffs.

Torosyan said Gilauri’s remarks show that he does not much like the prospects of rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey.
“It is clear that as soon as the border is opened, Armenia will have an alternative road. It will certainly cause a review of tariffs,” Torosyan said.

He said no Armenian businessmen would import goods via Georgia if the same high tariffs remain in place. Instead, Armenian businessmen will send their goods straight to Turkey.