Armenia spares no effort for North-South energy corridor program to  be implemented in shorted period - minister 

ArmInfo.Armenia is doing its best for the North-South energy corridor program to be implemented as soon as possible. The program is of regional importance and is  important for Armenia's energy sector, Armenia's Minister of Energy  Mher Grigoryan told reporters on Thursday following the 17th meeting  on the Armenian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission. 

"It is highly important for our bilateral relations because, as you  know, we have a swap agreement with Iran. It is also of high  importance for regional energy transit. Common rules of the Eurasian  Economic Union (EAEU) are simultaneously being applied, which means  this important infrastructure enables Iran to join the common market  through us," Mr Grigoryan said.

He discussed the issue with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar  Mehrabian as an Iranian company is involved in the construction. 

"We exchanged views and hope to complete the southern section by the  end of this year. And, as far as I am informed of the technical  specifications, it is going to be the most complex section. As  regards the northern section, I think we are going to complete it [on  schedule]," Mr Grigoryan said. 

As to why the project has been extended twice, the minister said that  one of the reasons is a long tender invitation process.

"The major problem is long-lasting tender invitation processes. And  three of the processes failed. However, we are seeking to ensure  broad participation as these huge projects," M Grigoryan said. 

Under the project a new 60-km-long motorway is to be constructed,   with a design speed of 100kmh, with bridges with a total length of   4.7km and tunnels with a total length of 12.5km. The Burgashat tunnel   alone will be 8.6km long.  

The new motorway will be 58km shorter, with improved traffic safety   and comfort. 

The construction of the southern section of the North-South motorway   is a strategic priority in the context of the latest developments in   Armenia's Syunik on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The new motorway  will safely connect Armenia's regions bordering on Iran with its   central regions. The construction is estimated at $1.5bln, which   implies Armenia's active cooperation with its international partners. 

The North-South motorway will shorten the distance from the Iranian   border to the Georgian border from 556 to 490 kilometers. It will   facilitate the access to the Black Sea both for Armenia and for Iran.   The project will also ensure access to European states via Armenia   (Meghri-Kapan, Goris-Yerevan, Ashtarak- Gyumri-Bavra) and via   Georgia. The project was initially to be completed in 2019. The cost   had regularly been revised upward. Back in 2009, the Asian   Development Bank allocated over $1bln for the motorway construction.