ArmInfo. With the financial support of the EU and the European Investment Bank, three checkpoints on the state border of Armenia: Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan were modernized within the framework of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited Shirak region on a working visit to participate in the official opening ceremony of the Bavra border checkpoint, the press service of the Armenian leader said. Putting into operation the Bavra checkpoint the program of modernization of the northern customs gates of Armenia is being completed. Earlier, Bagratashena and Gogavan checkpoints were commissioned.
The total budget for the modernization of the three checkpoints was 54.43 million euros. The process of modernization of checkpoints on the state border of the Republic of Armenia was started in 2010 by the decree of the President of the Republic on the approval of the strategy of integrated management of border security and the state border of Armenia. This was followed in 2011 by the approval of a program of activities aimed at implementing this strategy. Work on the construction of the checkpoint "Bavra" began in 2013. The checkpoint, located on the territory of 11 hectares, is equipped with all modern technical means, has a helicopter pad, operates on the electronic system of "one stop, one window".
It is assumed that the operation of the checkpoint will increase the volume of passenger and goods turnover between Armenia and other countries. It is also expected to increase the volume of transit traffic to Iran and from Iran to the EU and the EEA, as well as to improve the living standards of the local population. Within the framework of the construction temporary and permanent jobs were created. It should be noted that according to the information of the EU delegation in Armenia, within the framework of the program, the Armenian government received a loan from the EU in the amount of 30.8 million euros, grants of 17.2 million euros. The co-financing of the Armenian government amounted to 4.44 million euros. UNDP financial investments amounted to 1.9 million euros.
