MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

“We are looking forward the launching the operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line and believe that it will bring benefit not only to Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan but all the other countries of the region. I hope this important project will be launched promptly,” – Giorgi Gakharia, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, stated during his visit to Turkey. Giorgi Gakharia had a meeting with the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Arslan in Kars. The two Ministers jointly experienced the train travel up to the Georgia-Turkey state border and examined the newly launched railway line specially constructed for the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars new railway project. The Heads of the Georgian, Azerbaijan, Turkish and Kazakhstan railway companies and over one hundred representatives of the Turkish state agencies and private sector as well as the journalists accompanied the Ministers of the two countries. The parties held an extended meeting on the modernized train provided by the Turkish side and discussed the issues related to the further enhancing of the economic cooperation between the countries involved.

“The goal of our meeting is to find at what stage we are and when this project becomes realized since all three countries have great expectations of the consequent benefits that this railway will bring. This largescale project becomes of regional importance and the presence of our colleague from Kazakhstan is the clear confirmation of this fact. I believe that more countries will get involved in this project and there will be a greater economic effect. I would like to highlight our desire to launch this project promptly since it will facilitate greatly to enhancing our economic, cultural and political progress,” – Giorgi Gakharia noted and confirmed the gratefulness to the Turkish Minister for the hospitality and organization of the event. 

“This is a historic project and we are all present at this historic event when we have the opportunity to travel at this rout for the first time by train. This project is very important for our three countries, in terms of further development of economic and cultural relations. As you know, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey launched the project and now, due to its regional importance, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are joining it and there will be a united Silk Road spread from London to Beijing. The BTK Railway line will contribute to the economic development between our countries as well as the countries of the regions. Therefore, we plan to accomplish this project in a very short term,” – the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Arslan stated.

Upon the completion of the expanded meeting, the delegations of the four countries visited the Container Terminal and Akhalkalaki Station, provided on Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi area on the Georgian territory. The construction of the Station is already accomplished and minor interior works are at its final stage.

“The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway will provide new significant opportunities for development of our country’s transit potential. It is very important that the Kazakh colleagues have arrived with us as well. We, together with Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan established a Middle Corridor association. This is a project of outmost importance in term of connecting the countries of Central Asian with our region and to Turkey. At the same time, it will connect China to the markets of our region and Europe. We have met here to observe the progress by the Turkish side and here, on Georgian territory. We believe that the corridor will serve the first block train,” – Mamuka Bakhtadze, Georgia Railway CEO told the journalists. 

The first test-train passed through the Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line on January 29, 2015. Most of the project is currently accomplished and it is due to be launched in the nearest future.