YEREVAN. – The Iran-Armenia railway will be effective if Georgia joins the project, stated economist Ashot Tavadyan, at a discussion on Tuesday and devoted to Iran.

He recalled that according to the preliminary agreement, China shall provide 60 percent of the respective investments.

“[But] the most realistic project between Armenia and Iran is the construction of the hydroelectric power plant [(HPP)] of [Armenia’s] Meghri [town],” stressed Tavadyan. “It is very important to us [i.e. Armenia], since the HPP is cheaper, and naturally, cheap electricity not only resolves social issues, but raises the country’s competitiveness, first of all.”

As per the economist, there is also a constant talk about building an oil refinery.

“We need to intensify our efforts here also,” added Ashot Tavadyan. “ And the [Armenian] government’s [respective] role is big.”