An interesting book was recently pub­lished in the Republic of Uzbekistan covering a 'new silk road of tourism' that links the eastern tip of China to the northern edge of German-as well as Uzbekistan which is situated in the center of the Euro-Asian tourist route.
   Entitled Geopolitics of the New Silk Road and authored by General Director Rustam Mirzev of Sairam Tourism of Uzbekistan, the 304-page book is originally in the Russian lan­guage, but is expected to be published in other languages including English.
   The book reviews the genesis and evolution of the ancient Great Silk Road, as well as mo­ tivating forces for its revival in the modern world, outlook for transport communications development between Central Asia, Russia, Western countries, and Eastern Asia in our globalizing world.
   Geopolitics of the New Silk Road gives a thorough analysis of common theories with re­ gard to political potentialities of multilateral economic cooperation under globalization conditions; exposes the process peculiarities of transport communications; presents complex evaluation of the Silk Road revival potential, required for integration of Central Asia states into the world economic system, and stimula­tion of their contacts with the countries of Eu­ rope and Asia-Pacific region, as well as for the establishment of mutually beneficial coopera­ tion between the countries of Central Asia.
   The author treats of the strategy on the Eurasian area of Russia, China, Japan, West­ ern countries, and also uniformity and differ­ ence of interests and viewpoints on the issue.
   It is the critics' opinion that the book by Rustam Mirzaev "Geopolitics of the new Silk

Road" is a fundamental research, which un­ doubtedly will attract the attention of large sections of readership who show interest in history and the present of the Great Silk Road-the unique phenomenon of human civi­ lization.
   The author of the book, Rustam Mirzaev (www.RustamMirzaev. com), is the graduate of the faculty of journalism of Moscow State University. He was awarded a Ph.D. degree in History and D. Sc. degree in political sciences. For many years he has been engaged in the tourism industry of Uzbekistan: he is the head of well-known tourist company "Sairam Tourism" (www.sairamtour.com) and the Chairman of the Great Silk Road Tour Opera­ tors' Group (www.thegreatsilkroad.com).
   Georgia: Reconstruction of Hotel Iveria
   Hotel "Iveria" will be rebuilt into a 5-star hotel. The adjoining territory will be also re­ constructed. The leading Kazakhstan's "Turen-Alen" Bank plans to invest up to $ 100 million in this project. Moreover, the Kazakh investors are ready to assign means for the re­ construction of tourist facilities in Adjaria. The parties have already agreed on the construction of a golf-club and a 5-star hotel in the centre of Batumi.
   Armenia: Armavia interlines with Air Union
   National airlines of Armenia-"Armavia" Company signed a memorandum of under­ standing with Russian aircompany "Air Union". Cooperation between two air compa­nies will enable them to implement joint com­mercial policy in order to integrate their flight route network.
   Through sharing the transit lines of "Air Union" company the airlines of Armenia obtain

a wide access to the flight route network throughout the whole territory of Russia. The Russian partner, for his part, will be able to op­ erate in the markets of the Middle East.
   In addition, "Air Union" airliners flying long-distance destinations will be used by "Armavia" company for translatlantic flights.
   Azerbaijan: A new programme of recon­ struction and development of Motor ways of Azerbaijan
   A state programme on reconstruction and development of motor ways of Azerbaijan has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of the country.
   The project provides for the construction of more than 8000 km of highways with 1000 km being the main line connecting Azerbaijan with international transport routes, specifically from north to south-rom the border with Rus­ sia via Baku and Alyat to Iran and towards Georgia.
   These are first category dual-dual highways to be built in conformity with the international standards. All the works will be completed within 3 years.
   Iran: Seven-day visa facilitates tourism entry to Iran:
   Iran has provided facilities to issue within one hour a 7-day visa for the inbound tourists arriving in Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad air­ ports in Tehran, as well as to the international airports in Shiraz, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Tabriz.
   On submission of a ticket, which indicates the departure date from the country, and a passport which is valid for 6 months to the representative of tan's Foreign Ministry in the transit lounge of the airport, foreign visitors