08:53, 16 April 2009 | GMT +5
Armenia, Iran sign deal to build strategic rail link
YEREVAN. April 16. KAZINFORM The Armenian and Iranian transport ministers signed on Wednesday an agreement to build a railway linking Armenia with Iran's Persian Gulf ports, the Armenian TV5 channel reported, Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

The construction of the 470-kilometer long railway, with 410 kilometers passing through Armenian territory, is expected to last for at least five years and to cost $1.5-$1.8 billion.
"It is difficult to estimate the cost as the length of the tunnel has not been determined and the construction of a tunnel is relatively expensive," Armenian Transport Minister Gurgen Sargsyan said ,Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.
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