Today the first transit train from China, following the route of the new ‘Silk Road’, arrived in Tbilisi. On the way to Georgia it crossed the territories of China, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan and will continue on its way to Turkey.
"This is the first transit cargo and actual implementation of the ‘Silk Road’ project. In the future, the transit train will connect Asia and Europe in the shortest time possible. A train from Istanbul to China will take a maximum of 14-15 days, which is the best option in circumstances in which a ship requires 40-45 days,’’ Sputnik quotes the press service of the Republic of Georgia.
"At the end of the year Tbilisi expects to welcome another transit train, and from the beginning of 2016 the project plans to transport thousands of containers," its press service adds.
The train that arrived today in Georgia's capital was officially welcomed at the Central railway station, where on this occasion a solemn ceremony was held, attended by representatives of the country's leadership.
"I am pleased that our train was symbolically decorated with the flags of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and the EU. We can in an unprecedentedly short period of time, for 8-10 days, take cargo of Georgia, then in 3-5 days - in different European countries. The ‘Silk Road’ is the cheapest and shortest route, it has reduced the journey time from Asia to Europe by 80%. Our country is part of the shortest route, and the route gives us an additional chance to become one of the most important participants in global economic events. The ‘Silk Road’ is an additional momentum for accommodation in one zone of the partner countries to deepen political, cultural and economic relations. I believe that this project will bring our country more investment, greater employment and prosperity. I believe that through the ‘Silk Road’ project Georgia will become a multiregional center that will connect Europe, East Asia, India, Central Asia and the Middle East," Georgia Online quotes Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
"Today is a truly historic day. As part of the ‘Silk Road’ project, the first transit train will go through Georgia taking the goods from China to Turkey. The resumption of the ‘Silk Road’ returns our country to its historic mission, which it performed for centuries. Today, we are beginning to make a real contribution to the overall economic well-being. For centuries the ‘Silk Road’ was the most important land route linking Europe and Asia," he stressed.
The Prime Minister noted that the ‘Silk Road’ will speed up the delivery of goods from China to Europe by 80%. "At first, freight from China to Europe was mainly conducted by sea, which takes a very long time, 40 days on average. The ‘Silk Road’ also makes it possible to deliver cargo from China to Europe, which is much faster and cheaper," Garibashvili said.
The head of the Georgian Foreign Ministry, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, spoke about the importance of this route for the country. "This route, compared with other routes, will be competitive, but we will be in a partnership with all those countries that are located along this route. Today it was about the delivery of goods from China to Turkey, however, there will be a direct connection to Europe via the Black Sea. This once again underlines the importance of Georgia on an international scale. It is also very important that this route will bring new jobs and new businesses in Georgia. It has been estimated how important each container that passes through Georgia. Today is a very important date in the history of Georgia," the Minister concluded.
US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly also spoke about the importance of this day. "The project involves the provision of a connection between Europe and China, and Georgia will ensure that connection, which is very important. The modern economy is global in nature. Cargo shipments that are made by companies such as DHL and FedEx are looking at and interested in the existence of fast routes between China and the West. This is very important for the development of Georgia, as Georgia will act as a transit hub," the diplomat said.
