Armenia`s Transport Minister: It is planned to sign contract on construction of Armenian-Georgian "Friendship Bridge" in Q1 2017

ArmInfo. Tender has been announced on designing and construction of new bridge over Debed River on the Armenian-Georgian border, Armenia's Minister of Transport, Communications and IT Vahan Martirosyan stated at the meeting with Francis Malige, Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The press-service of the Ministry informs that the Minister expressed satisfaction with the efficient cooperation with the bank in road onstruction field. He expressed hope that the cooperation will be continuous and will involve transport and IT sectors. The sides touched upon the program of construction of new bridge on the territory of Sadakhlo-Bagratashen border checkpoint (Armenian-Georgian border) over Debed River. Vahan Martirosyan informed that the tender on designing and constructing the bridge has already been announced. It is planned to sign the construction contract in Q1 2017.

Possibilities of cooperation within "North-South Road Corridor Investment Program" were also discussed.  Martirosyan noted that EBRD will have its contribution in the program of improvement and development of national transport network.

The interlocutors discussed possible prospects of cooperation in IT field. Martirosyan attached importance to establishing ties between private companies of IT field and international donors with EBRD mediation.

To recall, on 23 Nov 2012, Armenia and the EBRD signed the relevant agreement. The EBRD is financing the construction of a new bridge at Bagratashen, the main border crossing point between Armenia and Georgia. The EUR10.3 million loan to the Armenian government is the EBRD's contribution towards the financing of the Northern Corridor Modernisation Project. The upgrade of the cross-border infrastructure facilities is a priority for the Armenian government. In addition to the EBRD, the European Investment Bank (EUR 30.316 mln), European Union (EUR3.3 mln grant), Neighbourhood Investment Facility (EUR 12 mln) and United Nations Development Programme (EUR0.8 mln grant), jointly with the government of Armenia, will finance this project, the total cost of which is EUR62.6 million.

The Northern Corridor Modernisation Project includes the reconstruction of existing infrastructure to meet international standards, as well as the construction of new buildings at the three border control facilities. The improved border crossing points, equipped for vehicles and pedestrians, will have a more efficient and increased processing capacity, as well as providing a multi-directional road crossing for international cargo and passenger traffic. Located 200km from Yerevan, Bagratashen is the main land transport corridor connecting Armenia, through Georgia, with the rest of the world.

Agreement on construction of Friendship Bridge between Armenia and Georgia was signed on December 24 2014.