At today’s press conference General Director of the South Caucasus Railways (SCR) Shevket Shaydulin stated that Russia is interested in construction of the Armenia-Iran railway and will participate in the project. The head of SCR said that trilateral commission, including Armenian and Russian transport ministries and the Russian Railways, has been already set up. The working groups of the commission will elaborate technical and economic evaluation of the project.

Shaydulin noted that implementation of the project will require at least 5 years, whereas the project’s estimate will be clear next April. He also stressed that SCR is not involved in the project, as concession agreement does not stipulate such liabilities.

The SCR Director General touched upon demolition of Kapan-Meghri railway, saying the company has already appealed to the Ministry of Transport and Communication. He said that presently roads are being constructed to replace the demolished railway. However, Shaydulin considers it usual, as the not functioning railway is worn-out. “Armenia-Iran railway will run through the same path where Meghri-Kapan railway used to. It should be completely repaired, while the sectors turned into a highway should be transformed into railway again,” he concluded.