ArmInfo. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Union will provide Armenia with 21.1 million euros for the modernization of the Meghri checkpoint bordering Iran. The RA National Assembly at its session on September 18 discusses the agreement with the Bank submitted by the government for ratification.
As the Chairman of the RA State Revenue Committee Edward Hovhannisyan noted in his speech, the agreement was signed on February 7, 2020. The need for reconstruction is due to the constant growth in the volume of freight and passenger traffic across this section of the state border. Taking into account the fact that the northern checkpoints have been completely modernized, the reconstruction of the Meghri checkpoint will help to increase the efficiency of the North-South transport corridor. The total cost of the modernization program will amount to 21.1 million EUR, of which the EBRD will provide the republic with a loan of 10.6 million euros on the terms of Libor + 1%, which makes 1.7% in half-year terms. Most of the funding will come from grant funds provided by the EU within the framework of the European Neighborhood program - 10.6 million euros and 700 thousand euros. As a result of the implementation of the program, the checkpoint will be expanded from the current 6.6 ha to 8.8 ha. The capacity will increase from 300 cars per day to 900. The entire project is expected to be completed in late 2022 - early 2023. Sanitary, customs and other mechanisms corresponding to international standards will be applied at the checkpoint.
Earlier ArmInfo reported that with the financial support of the EU and the European Investment Bank, within the framework of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), three checkpoints on the state border of Armenia - "Bagratashen", "Bavra" and "Gogavan" were modernized. The total budget for the modernization of these three checkpoints was 54.43 million euros. 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 for 17.2 million euros. The co-financing of the Armenian government amounted to 4.44 million EUR. UNDP financial investments amounted to EUR 1.9 million.