ArmInfo.Unblocking highways could spark increased interest among international investors, as stated by RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a press- briefing on July 2.
According to him, the decisive factor in this direction will be the unblocking of highways by Turkey. In that case, toll roads for trucks could appear in Armenia. It would only require the construction of a small section of road in Akhurik.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister noted, the TRIPP project is being implemented with American partners. Overall, Yerevan relies on its strategic partnership with Washington to implement promising logistics routes through the country's northern regions, while Brussels has no direct involvement in this initiative. The head of government called for a clear separation of international logistics routes and clarified that Armenia is negotiating this route with another geopolitical power, and the idea itself could radically change the region's transit potential.
"Even during the pre-election period, I repeatedly stated that studies had revealed the shortest route between East and West, which runs through Armenia, specifically through the Tavush, Lori, and Shirak regions. The simplest method for implementing this program is to open the Kazakh-Ijevan, Vanadzor, Gyumri, and Akhurik highways to international freight transport on a toll basis. This is a very easily implemented project, which requires political agreements and the opening of borders. Such a program could be of great regional interest. Of course, we will need to build a small section of road in Akhurik, but it is entirely feasible. As for the TRIPP project, we are promoting it with the United States, and there is no specific involvement of the European Union. I don't quite understand why Brussels needs to participate if we are already implementing the program with the American side, although the EU's position on this matter is certainly positive," Pashinyan emphasized.
