Wednesday, 16 January 2008
RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan received the delegation led by President of "Russian Railways" OJSC Vladimir Yakunin
Serzh Sargsyan mentioned that transport-related problems stand high on the Government
's economic agenda, inclusive of international and domestic communications. According to the Prime Minister, railway transport will play a key role in this process. In view of the above, as well as in order to enhance the efficiency of railway communications, it has been decided to hand over the Armenian Railways for trust management. By noting the importance of both conceding the Armenian Railways for trust management and ensuring that all the targets and investments stipulated in the competitive bid are met in full, Serzh Sargsyan said to be confident that this would help enhance both the efficiency and the safety of transportations carried out via the Armenian Railways, increase the volume of commodity traffic, meet the basic international standards applicable to railway communications, refurbish the rolling stock, create new jobs, as well as to enhance the qualification and the working conditions of the staff.The Prime Minister further stressed that the Government was not going to interfere with the activities of the eventual trust manager and that the executive was prepared to assist with the solving of any problems for the sake of railways development, if necessary.
Vladimir Yakunin thanked the head of the Armenian government and said that he was well aware of the responsibility assumed by his company which, considering the length of its past experience and its current potential, was sure to fulfill the obligations envisaged under the contract.
