EU will not support Turkey blockade of Armenia

The European Commission will not support Turkey in its bid to enforce its embargo against Armenia with the construction of the new railroad from Azerbaijan to Turkey, which is currently under consideration, replacing the existing operable line linking Kars (Turkey) to Tbilisi (Georgia) via Gyumri (Armenia). The latter has not been in use since Turkey closed its borders with Armenia in 1994.

EC Commissioner in charge of Foreign Affairs Benita Ferero-Valnter made the remarks in response to a written questions submitted by Cypriot EuroMP and Presidential candidate Ioannis Cassoulides.

“This policy is in direct conflict with the spirit and aims of the European neighbourhood policy, with the idea of regional cooperation and with good neighbourly relations, as it amounts to a deliberate blockade as a means of political pressure,” noted Cassoulides.

“Is the Commission taking any measures to re-open the Kars-Gyumri railway, in accordance with the High Level Group on Transport recommendations and to the Tracera programme?

Will the Commission further abstain from financing, either directly or through other institutions, as well as from granting political support to, the construction of the new railway line bypassing Armenia?” were some of the questions asked by Cassoulides.

In his response, the EC Commissioner says the position of the Commission is to support the development of trade and transport links and not allow for Armenia to be bypassed. Thus the financing package to be undertaken by the EC under the TRACECA programme will not be directed and shall not support measures to bypass Armenia, noted the Austrian Commissioner.