YEREVAN. – The railway link with Russia via Abkhazia is the key issue that can end the transportation blockade of Armenia.

Nikolai Ryzhkov, Co-Chairman of the Russian–Armenian Commission on Interparliamentary Cooperation and Chairman of the Russian Commission on Natural Monopolies, noted the abovementioned at Wednesday’s press conference in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan.  

“The blockade primarily impacts the socioeconomic life in Armenia. Numerous freights are conducted via Georgia, but the transportation fees increase completely there,” Ryzhkov noted.    

In his words, the Customs Union will contribute to the resumption this railway communication and, as a result, the situation will change fundamentally.   

The Russian official, however, found it difficult to answer the query as to how much it would cost to reopen this 80-kilometer-long railway link. 

“The cost is a complicated but a secondary matter. The important thing is to make a political decision on restoring [the railway link],” he added.  

But, in Nikolai Ryzhkov’s words, Armenia likewise has to negotiate with Georgia to reach a respective compromise.