RESTORATION OF ABKHAZIAN RAIL-WAY UNDER DISCUSSION

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS:Armenian parliamentary delegation led by the speaker of Armenian National Assembly Armen Khachatrian was on official visit in Georgia October 9-13. Today, presenting the details of the visit to the reporters, Armenian speaker said that during the meetings at Georgian parliament the sides particularly discussed issues concerning inter-parliamentary cooperation. Also an agreement was reached to support each other more actively in international structures. During the conversation with Georgian speaker Nino Burjanadze, an issue concerning the restoration of Abkhazian rail-way was raised. According to Khachatrian, the issue of communications was discussed during all meetings (except the meeting with Georgian spiritual leader Ilya II). With Georgian foreign minister Irakly Menagharishvili Khachatrian discussed political issues, particularly, concerning the peaceful settlement of regional conflicts. Attaching a great importance to conflicts° peaceful settlement, Armenian speaker stressed that the development of the region also depends on their adjustment. He also said that the regional countries must be able to equally be involved in international economic programs such as, for example, INOGATE etc. During the meeting with Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze issues of Javakheti Armenians as well as concerning the parliamentary and economic cooperation were discussed. The high level of inter-parliamentary cooperation was stated. Regarding the economic issues, the sides again referred to the importance of Abkhazian rail-way for Armenia. "I stressed that I do not want to say that the blockade is directed against Armenia, but the fact is that Armenia is blocked being deprived of a way to the north", said Khachatrian, adding that some steps towards the rail-way°s restoration must be taken. A meeting also took place between Armenian speaker and Georgian spiritual leader Patriarch Ilya II. The latter, according to Khachatrian, expressed a will to enlarge cooperation with Armenian Apostolic church, saying that Armenia and Georgia are just islands in the surrounding ocean of Muslim countries and they must be able to preserve their spiritual values.