Turkey, Kars, 24 July/ Trend , corr A. Aliyev/ The regional projects realized by Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway can serve as a showcase of regional cooperation, Abdullah Gul, the President of Turkey said during the founding ceremony of the Turkish section of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.
Gul described the realization of project on construction of railway as one of the most important decisions which will connect countries in the Far East including China with the western Europe. The passenger traffic by railway is expected to comprise 1 million people and freight flow - about 6.5mln tons in the early years. According to Gul, the passenger transportation is expected to make up 3 million people and freight flow - 18mln tons in this second and important stage, President said.
The Turkish President said that this project will serve as a cultural corridor between Asia and Europe and will contribute to the international dialogue.
The President of Azerbaijan and Georgia also take part in the founding ceremony.
The Baku- Tbilisi- Kars project includes the construction of 105km-railway lines, with 76 km section running via Turkey and 29 km section via Georgia. Moreover, 183 km section of Akhalkalaki-Marabda-Tbilisi railway will be also reconstructed to improve the carrying capacity to 15mln tons of cargo per year. It is planned to build in Akhalkalaki a facility for the transition of trains from the track existing in Georgia to the European one. The project is estimated at $422mln and including the accompanying infrastructure its cost will comprise $600mln