EU to help Armenia develop traffic routes from Armenian-Azerbaijani border to Turkish border

YEREVAN. June 24 (Interfax) - The European Union will help Yerevan develop strategic traffic routes from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to the Turkish border in order to boost regional connectivity and strengthen Armenia's role of a reliable transportation and logistics hub.

The European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the Armenian Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Ministry signed a respective memorandum of mutual understanding at the Connectivity Agenda Platform high-level event in Brussels, the Armenian ministry's press service said.

The memorandum formally launches the provision of advisory support under the Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity initiative.

As reported, the initiative envisages assistance in developing strategic traffic routes Akhurik-Kayan (212 kilometers from the border with Azerbaijan to the border with Turkey) and Margara-Kayan (258 kilometers from the border with Azerbaijan to the border with Turkey), which will link border checkpoints to the road network of Armenia.

"At the first stage, the European Investment Bank will provide advisory support to determine the scope of needed research and to develop feasible solutions for the aforesaid road projects. The projects are part of the Armenian government's Crossroads of Peace initiative and aim to develop regional connectivity, to strengthen Armenia's role as a reliable transportation and logistics hub, and to promote the EU's transport infrastructure development program," the Armenian ministry said.

The document was signed on the sidelines of Armenian Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister David Khudatyan's visit to Brussels.

Earlier, he discussed current transport and energy programs with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen had said earlier in June that the EU was prepared to support Armenia's infrastructure and border crossings as regional connections resumed.

In addition, Khudatyan met with Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu in Brussels to discuss the possibility of developing regional connectivity and unblocking railway and motor traffic.