The Ministry of Transport of Russia set the unprecedented 50-percent discounts for oil and oil products transportation by railroad to port Makhchkala and Ukrainian ports on Azov and Black seas. Russian experts suggest a part of a 2.5mln ton stream of oil flowing to Ukraine via Georgia might be rearranged by December 31.
Trend reports with reference to Caucasus-Press, the ministrys order regarding the discounts had been registered in the Ministry of Justice in late July 2006. The document sets the 50 percent discount for railroad transit fees in regard to oil and oil products towards ports of Azov and Black seas.
Russian experts also consider this measure creating a healthy competition to TRACECA that unites Europe and Asia via Caucasus, bypassing Russia. TRACECA, the 1993 project of the EU, passes through Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.