Faint possibility of re-operation of Abkhazian railway – experts

Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group member Shirak Torosyan believes that the Alliance and Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and Abkhazia may cause some problems in the re-operation of the Abkhazian railway.

“The possibility of re-opening is faint because it involves Georgia, Russia and Abkhazia. We [Armenia] are most interested in the re-operation of the railway, and Georgia and Russia are expected to show more political will. As regards the agreement, which, to an extent, strained Russian-Georgian relations, it reduced the possibility of re-operation of the Abkhazian railway. However, I think logic and economic priorities are supposed to prevail and the states must find the strength to re-operate the Abkhazian railway,” he said.

“Under the Russian-Abkhazian agreement, Abkhazia is gaining greater independence of Georgia, while Georgia is struggling to restore its territorial integrity,” Mr Torosyan said.

According to him, the strained relations will not affect all the aspects of Russian-Georgian relations.

“After the problems arose, the Russian and Georgian peoples were able to create a platform for discussing Russian-Georgian economic relations, without touching on Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Mr Torosyan said.

Expert in Georgian studies Alik Eroyants thinks that, although Armenia can benefit from re-operation of the Abkhazian railway, the possibility of the program being implemented is extremely low. The reason is the Russian-Abkhazian strategic cooperation agreement which caused great indignation in Georgia.

“Almost all high-ranking Georgian officials were critical of the agreement and applied to the international community, accusing Russia of occupying Georgian territory,” he said.

“I think it will prove to be a serious obstacle to re-operation of the Abkhazian railway, and the possibility is remote to our disadvantage,” Mr Eroyants said.

He points out political and economic aspects of re-operation of the Abkhazian railway.

“Economic benefits are obvious but there is a political aspect, and Georgia will not accept Russia’s policy toward it.”