The Government of the Republic of Armenia

Prior to paying his scheduled working visit to Georgia, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan called at Bagratashen border checkpoint. Hovik Abrahamyan walked around inspecting the ongoing activities. The Premier was told that construction, finishing and utility installation work is underway for 5 buildings of the checkpoint. Most of the planned activities are complete and the checkpoint is expected to be commissioned as scheduled - in the first quarter of 2016.

The new checkpoint will be equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring and screening equipment. Third-party intervention will be minimized, and the citizens and businesses will be able to cross the border as quickly as possible and without complications.

Addressing the media, the Head of Government stressed the importance of the project owing to which we will have a checkpoint in line with the international standards.

“Work is going on as scheduled, and according to the Minister of Finance, the checkpoint will be launched next March. What matters most is that modern border crossing conditions will be offered to citizens and economic entities,” the Prime Minister said.

The Premier was also briefed on progress in the construction of the new bridge called Friendship next to Bagratashen border checkpoint. A tender will be out by this yearend for the bridge, which is expected to significantly enhance the quality and velocity of services.

The modernization program provides that there will be high-tech infrastructure installed at the checkpoint that will help build up capacity to facilitate the legitimate movement of people and freight between Armenia, on the one hand, and Georgia and EU countries, on the other.

The Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan border checkpoints modernization program will cost some 70 million U.S. dollars, co-financed by the government of the Republic of Armenia in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations Development Program and other international organizations.