Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim met Transportation Minister Ziya Mammadov of Azerbaijan and Economics & Infrastructure Minister Irakli Chogovadze of Georgia in Istanbul on Monday to discuss Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project. Prior to the meeting, Yildirim told reporters, \'\'research studies about the project started last year. We will assess the project in the meeting today. We will also discuss transportation and communication issues among the three countries. The cost of the project and financing model will be discussed as well.\'\' Meanwhile, Mammadov told reporters that the project has political, strategical and economic importance for their countries and the region, adding that Azerbaijani government and private sector will provide every support for the financing of the project. Chogovadze said that the railway line will ease cargo transportation among the three countries. Kars-Javakheti (Ahilkelek)-Tbilisi-Baku railway project aims to set up a direct railway line between Turkey and Georgia, and between Turkey and Azerbaijan via Georgia. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a memorandum of understanding on December 28th, 2004 to put the project into force. The sides established a working group, and decided to hold a meeting in the ministerial level. Meanwhile, presidents of the three countries signed a statement about the project during the inauguration of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project on May 25th, 2005. (turkishpress.com)