When asked by "Hetq" at a press conference held today as to whether the proposed Iran-Armenia railway project was justifiable, political analyst Stepan Grigoryan responded, "Even the potential project will be a major factor in the arena of foreign relations. When they even speak of the plan, the policies of this or that country is changed in the region." The analyst noted that the gas pipeline was also a major factor to be considered and advised that attention be paid as to why the foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan declared that his country is ready to cement strategic relations with Armenia. "Georgia is no longer a transit country and any project planned in the region by the major powers will bypass Georgia. Thus, Armenia has the potential to become the country to replace Georgia in this respect." According to Mr. Grigoryan, the potential construction of the railway forces Turkey to "begin to act", since, in his estimation, "Everyone knows that Iran has $1.5 billion to construct that rail link. We don't have that amount and everyone knows it. This is a political project for which the country gives money more easily than other projects." The analyst stated that by describing the railway as a political project, he takes into consideration the fact that if Armenia has a land link with Iran and the world beyond in the next five years, the pressure exerted by Turkey on Armenia will automatically lessen. "This is one of the reasons why Turkey has quickened its efforts to normalize relations with Armenia," noted Mr. Grigoryan. He also drew parallels with the Nabucco project. "It's only words; there is no outline, no plan. But even this impacts on the policies of many nations. If we could only construct such a railway; it would open many doors for us.