Regional cooperation between South Caucasus and Turkey has staged into a new phase by the final deal over Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway what was called as ‘iron silk road’. Connecting these three countries while by-passing Russia and Armenia also formulated and clarified power relations and lines among these countries. Although the join of Georgia took longer than expected due to pressure of Armenian lobby in the USA upon American foreign policy to halt the project, it is scheduled to be completed by 2010 at an estimated price of $ 500 million, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars iron silk way would certainly be one of the biggest connector among Turkey, Georgia and Russia.
The occupation of northern and southern routes by so called ‘problematic’ countries, Iran and Russia, dragged all attentions to South Caucasus and particularly Azerbaijan as a bridge region between East Asia and Europe. The motive of the USA and Europe to maintain and preserve Azerbaijan and Georgia as ‘friend’ countries can be explained only by American favor to these projects. Being a ‘protected corridor’ for Europe, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to step ahead in strengthening transportation and linking Asia and Europe by a newly signed Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. “The line does not only link three countries” said Gul, the president of Turkey during ceremony in Kars “it links China and London”. Transit railways linking Europe with Asia were present crossing Turkey through Armenia in three routes until Azerbaijan and Armenia engaged into a full-fledged war over disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. A railway from Europe to Turkey finishes in Armenia and continues in three ways. One of them is passing through Kars-Gümrü-Ayrum-Marneuli-Tbilisi with a final stop in Georgia. The other two develop via Icevan-Kazakh-Baku and Kars-Yerevan-Nakhchivan-Baku. However, war over Karabakh forced Azerbaijan to close the railroads and the connection between Asia and Europe has been interrupted to date. Armenia, by this, also closed all routes to Central Asia, Russia and China. The only connection is being provided through Iran for Armenia.
Finally, the last part of the railway which would connect Kars with Georgian border has begun with a ceremony where the leaders of three countries participated in July, 2008. With total of 105 km, 76 km of the railway will pass through Turkey and the remaining 29 km is from Turkish border to Ahelkeleki city of Georgia. Also the railway from Ahalkeleki to Tbilisi will be rehabilitated by Georgia. In this framework, 1 million 500 thousand passengers and 3 million tones load is planned to transfer a year by the project. It is forecasted that by this project 3 million people and more than 16 million tones goods will be carried by 2034. The total cost of the project is estimated as $ 500 million. $ 200 million will be covered by Georgia and the remaining cost will be shared by Turkish side. Georgia will also get support from Azerbaijan and the USA for funding the railway.
Stalled project accelerated after the agreement for landmark of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad both in Tbilisi on 20th November, 2007 and in Kars on 24th July, 2008. After the signing ceremony in Tbilisi, Erdogan said the venture would be a model for regional cooperation, and all of its stations would send messages of peace and friendship to the world. Emphasizing that the railroad is a revival of historical Silk Way and will definitely serve to the interest of all regional countries. Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, in turn, stressed that the new railroad will strengthen the stability in the region and resolve issues in the region.
Considering that the railway will be connecting China with the West, the interest over the project is increasing. Basically, a train from London will be uninterruptedly pass until C hina. In this sense, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway plays a significant role in East-West trade.
While three countries of the region are trying to establish common area for trade and suitable condition for exchange of goods, the plan to put Armenia out of all regional projects have been a constant policy of Azerbaijan and Turkey. This policy also benefited Georgia as it was the transit country for three big projects. The President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili noted in the meeting that by the Project, Georgia opened a window for Europe. Dr. Svante Cornell, editor-in-chief of Caucasus and Central Asia Journal argues that Turkey and Azerbaijan attempt to exclude Armenia from regional projects to deprive. The only unsatisfied country is Armenia. This project means that Armenia will be out in transit routes after huge energy project. Armenia in this regard, would certainly employ its strong lobby in the USA to block funding for Georgia. Expected deal could not been launched and was twice been interrupted. At last, surprisingly, on 20th of November, 2007, President Abdullah Gul went to Georgia and signed the deal. Azerbaijan promised to fund some part of the project in Georgian side. Armenia should seek the reason for isolation in its aggressive foreign policy. Although Armenia was recognized after the collapse of Soviet Union by Turkey, Armenia’s independence declaration violated Turkish territorial integrity and so-called ‘Armenian Genocide’ propaganda all over the world deprived Turkish-Armenian relations. Additionally, Armenia occupied 20 % of Azerbaijan’s territory which halted all kind of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Albeit railway to Turkey is easier from Armenia, all energy, trade and transportation projects are being carried out through Georgia. In addition to Armenia’s isolation in trade routes, there are no considerable trade relations between Armenia and other countries including Russia.
Furthermore, this project also has its significance for Georgia in addition to its contribution to regional integration. Attempting to behave independently in South Caucasus, recent problems of Georgia with Russia requires new projects to decrease Russian dominance.
Azerbaijan estimates that by this project trade relation will be advanced as well as long ship transport of goods will be replaced by railway which in turn will affect the efficiency and quality of transportation. Kazakistan also agreed on to connect itself to the railway. China and Kazakistan signed ‘support’ protocol with these three countries in 2006. According to the deputy minister of Azerbaijan Transportation Ministry, Musa Panahov, Kazakistan informed that they are always ready to support the railway. According to initial news, Kazakistan is planning to carry 10 million goods a year.
By this railway, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey will be carrying out their goods and services free of Russia. Azerbaijan will not be dependent on Russia’s railway exporting its goods to Europe. “The project will establish a direct link between Turkey and Azerbaijan. It is crucial that all shipping in the region will reach Europe and Asia via Turkey,” explained Binali Yildirim, the minister of Transportation of Turkey. The project was unable to begin as former minister of economy Kemal Dervis rejected funding for the project.
This giant project will be of huge contribution to the development of trade between East and the West as well as deepen the economic, social and cultural integration in the region.