EC Calls for Restoration of Rail Link in South Ossetia

The Delegation of the European Commission to Georgia is deeply concerned that the South Ossetian side deters the completion of the last few hundred meters of the railway link between breakaway South Ossetia?s capital, Tskhinvali and the rest of Georgia.

As the news release issued by the EC on June 9 reads, the European Union has provided materials required for the reconstruction of the railway (Euros 400,000) as well as supported full restoration of the railway station in Tskhinvali (Euros 200,000).

?Recalling the commitment of the South Ossetian side undertaken in the framework of the second Rehabilitation Programme for South Ossetia in 2001, the Delegation hopes that the works will shortly be resumed?, the news release reads.

?The European Union has supported the rehabilitation of railway connection between Gori [eastern Georgia] and Tskhinvali as an important step to promote free movement of people, exchange of goods and trade, which are instrumental in the peace process.?