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ALTERNATIVE CORRIDOR
Igor Muradyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics27739.html
Published: 12:12:22 - 17/10/2012
Throughout centuries Russia has laid out communication routes
of Eurasian and global importance which competed with the global
British transport system, including in the Near East, the Caucasus
and Central Asia, as well as the Far East. In the Soviet period the
river canals were of great importance, including the Volga-Don Canal
which facilitated the development of transport in the European part
of the USSR. The current technical state of this canal made the states
of Central Asia focus on transport in the South Caucasus.
Although Russia's geopolitical rivals use the Volga-Don Canal at full,
including for the expansion of its presence in the Caspian basin,
Moscow continues to ignore the importance of this strategic direction.
Some time ago Azerbaijan and Turkey displayed interest in making
investments for the canal. Either some Moscow-based functionaries
did not get bribes or had to take into consideration the influence
of responsible officials but the plan failed even before it could
be discussed.
At the same time, the Volga-Don canal is one of the most important
elements of the alternative transport system in which China, India,
Iran, Central Asian states, i.e. Russia's partners are interested.
This system has a tremendous importance for Armenia which could be
highly interested in the reconstruction of this canal and enabling the
functioning of the Black-Sea-Caspian direction, including establishment
of the Black Sea-Caspian marine and Danube river shipping companies
in which Armenia could have a substantial participation.
The Armenian Diaspora which is looking for a place to make investments
(about 10 billion dollars only in Russia and Ukraine) could take an
active part in the implementation of this project, first of all in
the reconstruction of the Volga-Don Canal. It is not ruled out that
at the next turn of the geopolitical intentions Turkey and Azerbaijan
may come back to this project. Therefore, such a state as Iran could
be an important initiator of this project. No doubt this project has
not only economic but also strategic importance which can offer new
alternative projects to a number of strategic partners.
Igor Muradyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics27739.html
Published: 12:12:22 - 17/10/2012
Throughout centuries Russia has laid out communication routes
of Eurasian and global importance which competed with the global
British transport system, including in the Near East, the Caucasus
and Central Asia, as well as the Far East. In the Soviet period the
river canals were of great importance, including the Volga-Don Canal
which facilitated the development of transport in the European part
of the USSR. The current technical state of this canal made the states
of Central Asia focus on transport in the South Caucasus.
Although Russia's geopolitical rivals use the Volga-Don Canal at full,
including for the expansion of its presence in the Caspian basin,
Moscow continues to ignore the importance of this strategic direction.
Some time ago Azerbaijan and Turkey displayed interest in making
investments for the canal. Either some Moscow-based functionaries
did not get bribes or had to take into consideration the influence
of responsible officials but the plan failed even before it could
be discussed.
At the same time, the Volga-Don canal is one of the most important
elements of the alternative transport system in which China, India,
Iran, Central Asian states, i.e. Russia's partners are interested.
This system has a tremendous importance for Armenia which could be
highly interested in the reconstruction of this canal and enabling the
functioning of the Black-Sea-Caspian direction, including establishment
of the Black Sea-Caspian marine and Danube river shipping companies
in which Armenia could have a substantial participation.
The Armenian Diaspora which is looking for a place to make investments
(about 10 billion dollars only in Russia and Ukraine) could take an
active part in the implementation of this project, first of all in
the reconstruction of the Volga-Don Canal. It is not ruled out that
at the next turn of the geopolitical intentions Turkey and Azerbaijan
may come back to this project. Therefore, such a state as Iran could
be an important initiator of this project. No doubt this project has
not only economic but also strategic importance which can offer new
alternative projects to a number of strategic partners.