Separate Checkpoint for EEU Member Countries in Lars: Operations are in Process
Last summer Armenian carrier agents were wasting considerable time at Lars checkpoint, due to the stretching lines of Georgian, Turkish and other carriers. To solve the issue RA Government applied to Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) for operating separate regime for EEU member countries. There was no any reflection or response after that, and RA Government members didn’t touch upon it either.
168.am made inquiries form Artur Arakelyan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, at which phase negotiations are, and whether any solution is possible. The Deputy Minister stated that works are actively developing in this direction.
“We have discussed ubiquitous solutions with Russian partners, so that the road was widened as much as possible. The Minister has discussed it with carrier agents, and there is readiness from the other side as well to solve the issue, as they have full apprehension of the situation. Not only there will be a separate checkpoint, we want that solutions were quickly given, and main issues emerging there were solved,” A.Arakelyan said.
According to him, it’s a tiny road between two mountains, and lines of vehicles emerge due to weather conditions, the river overflows in autumn and in spring, this is also an issue for widening the road, “We’ve been in the place a few times and proposed solutions with partners. This will be an advantage not only for Armenia, but for EEU member countries as well. Currently project works are being implemented, but as it’s their territory, we aren’t able to actively engage with it. After completion terms will be clear.”
Makar Arakelyan, Head of Armenian Transport Workers and Freight Forwarders Association, in an interview with 168.am stated that big investments are necessary for widening the road, it’s a technically complicated and dangerous work, blasting should be implemented. Justification of investments, according to him, is linked to the volume of transferred freight, “I think, they should feel that Armenia has that much volume of transfers. Due to winter roads are frequently closed, and in spring export is being activated and volume will increase.”
By Gayane Khachatryan
