The Armenian National Congress (ANC) party’s election platform envisages the construction of a railway connecting Armenia with Iran, which will solve vital problems for Armenia. ANC prime ministerial candidate, ANC vice chairman Levon Zurabyan announced this on Facebook.

According to him, the aforesaid railway designed by the China Communications construction company will have 84 bridges, 60 tunnels, and its preliminary cost is $3.2 billion, which will bring significant benefits to the countries involved in the project, primarily Armenia and Iran.

“This railway will connect [Armenia’s] Agarak [town] with the Gagarin railway station. A railway connection will be established from [the capital] Yerevan to the cities of Gavar, Martuni, Jermuk, Sisian, Kapan, Meghri, which will strengthen the economic, defense, and security system of our country, revitalize the economic life of these settlements,” added Zurabyan.

He noted that Armenia will gain access to the ports of the Indian Ocean through one country, Iran; and as a result, Armenia’s trade and economic ties with the countries of the global south will significantly develop, opening new routes and markets for Armenian-made goods. Armenia will become an important transit country connecting the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf, significantly revitalizing the pace of the country’s economic development.

“However, the foreign political and geopolitical effects are more important for Armenia. Armenia will get out of the unilateral communication dependence on Azerbaijan and Turkey, the economic tools of their control will be reduced, it will significantly strengthen our negotiating positions, and consolidate our sovereignty.

This project was proposed to [Armenian PM] Nikol Pashinyan in 2019, but was rejected by him. The Iranian railway is Armenia's sensible path to peace and development," Levon Zurabyan added.

Source: https://news.am/en/news/1035270