Armen Pambukhchyan: An alternative to Upper Lars could be the  carriage of goods by sea

ArmInfo.Head of the Standing Committee of the Armenian Parliament on Regional and European Integration, member of the "My Step" faction Armen Pambukhchyan said  that the "Upper Lars" checkpoint is one of the main problems for the  country's cargo carriers.

The MP at a press conference on May 14 noted that, despite the fact that sometimes the work of the checkpoint is given a political color, however, problems arise only  for technical reasons - the level of terrain, weather conditions,  geographical location. The MP stressed that this problem does not  allow Armenia to fully use its economic potential after joining the  EEU. Pambukhchyan stressed that Upper Lars is overloaded and unable  to fully cope with its task.

"In my opinion, the most appropriate alternative to Upper Lars is the  carriage of goods by sea. Moreover, in this way we can ensure  predictability of delivery times for goods. International maritime  legislation allows landlocked countries to have a port in a  neighboring country " the MP said. Pambukhchyan stressed that in  Armenia there is a need to implement the relevant legislation.

He also noted that Moldova and Mongolia have similar experience.  "These countries do not have access to the sea, however, attracting  businessmen from other countries to carry out transportation under  their flag.  Businessmen from Ukraine are ready to cooperate with  Armenian companies, moreover, there are proposals from Armenian  entrepreneurs from Lebanon, they offered us to establish a port  there, from there, the Armenian ferry can transport goods to Poti and  then to Novorossiysk, "the MP explained, noting that one of the main  advantages of the country is its membership in the EEU.

Pambukhchyan noted that another way to solve the problem of the  efficiency of cargo transportation could be the provision according  to which carriers from EEAC countries could work freely within the  Union without a license.