Yerevan, February 13 /Mediamax/. The Ministry of Transport and Communication considers a few applications for concession management of the “Armenian Railroad” CJSC.

Mediamax reports that the Minister of Transport and Communication Andranik Manukian stated today that the applications are presented by companies from Russia, France, Kazakhstan and other states.

Andranik Manukian recalled that for the restoration of the railroad together with the infrastructure, $170mln is necessary. The Minister stressed that the railroad, handed over to concession management, will remain the property of Armenia.

Mediamax recalls that the President of “Russian Railroads” OJSC Vladimir Yakunin stated in December of 2006, that “the issue of the possible concession of the Armenian railroad is being decided upon on the level of the Russian leadership”.

“The issue of the possible concession of the Armenian railroads is being decided upon on the level of the Russian leadership. This strategic issue for the development of the region was recently considered on the level of the country’s leadership”, Vladimir Yakunin stated.

Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated on November 30 of 2006 in an interview to the “Kommersant” [Merchant] newspaper that “after the announcement of the tender on handing over of the Armenian railroads to concession, the “Russian Railroads”, as well as other companies, would achieve the right for participation and there would be no preferences given to any company”.

Mediamax recalls that Vladimir Yakunin for the first time stated about the intention to take the Armenian railroads to concessive administration on October 12 of 2006 in Yerevan, where he was participating in the session of the Railroad Transport Council of CIS stated, Baltic, Bulgaria and Finland.