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THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH-SOUTH ROAD WILL ALLOW THE CITIZENS TO REACH BATUMI IN A MORE RAPID AND CONVENIENT WAY
Office of the Prime Minister
www.gov.am
Nov 21 2011
Armenia
After the sitting of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental
commission, Prime Ministers Tigran Sargsyan and Nika Gilauri signed
the protocol on the results of the 9th sitting of the commission.
Afterwards, the heads of the governments held a joint press conference,
the transcript of which is presented in its entirety.
Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri: Once again, I would like to
thank those, who worked on this protocol. The experts, from both
Armenian and Georgian sides have worked quite well. 19 issues of
social, economic and other areas are reflected in the protocol.
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: I first of all want to
thank the Prime Minister of Georgia for the warm welcome and excellent
working conditions. I would also like to thank the participants of
the working groups, who have carried out an enormous amount of work.
Dozens of issues were discussed, which, we are convinced, will
contribute to the enlargement and deepening of Armenian-Georgian
relations.
My question is directed to the Prime Minister of Georgia. What do
you think of reducing the tariffs for the Yerevan-Batumi flights
and making them more frequent? And my second question, what are the
available programs for modernization of the Armenian-Georgian border
crossing points?
Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri: The Yerevan-Batumi flight is
very profitable for private companies. None of the airline companies
are state, all of them are private, and thus, they decide if this
or that flight is beneficial or not. I think they should be very
beneficial. I urge the Armenian and Georgian airlines consider the
Yerevan-Batumi flights. We, on a governmental level, have gained
an open skies agreement, which makes it possible for any company to
manage flights. It should be very profitable for them, because there
is a really great demand for them.
Now regarding the second question; the main program is that the works
of the Armenian-Georgian border crossing points are united. We have
already implemented such projects on the Georgian-Turkish border, in
Sarpi, and made sure that it is very effective. The costs for passing
the border have been reduced twice. Now, instead of the crossing the
border twice, people will cross it once. We want to implement the
same project on the Armenian-Georgian border as soon as possible.
My colleague has already asked about the flights, but we know that
Armenian tourists travel to Georgia mostly by cars. It is knows that
there is a project of Yerevan-Batumi highway construction, which will
reduce the waste of the time. What stage are the works in and when
will they be completed?
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: Within two weeks we should
be wrapping up the results of the contest for the North-South road
construction. We are implementing this project in cooperation with the
Asian Development Bank. For the first time, Armenia is going to have
a modern highway in accordance with the international standards. The
traffic criteria of this highway will allow high-speed vehicles to
cross the Armenian-Georgian border. Our Georgian partners have also
been implementing a similar project with the Asian Development Bank.
Once this large-scale project is completed, our citizens will be
able to reach Batumi on an improved and quality way. It will reduce
the waste of time significantly; the road will be comfortable and,
naturally, will increase the inflow of tourists to Batumi.
My question is directed to the two Prime Ministers. Which are your
main priorities in the signed protocol?
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: The priority for us is the
modernization of the three border points. With the financial support
of the EU, we will begin the construction in 2012 in accordance with
the best international standards. As the Prime Minister of Georgia
noted, we want a new customs clearance methodology to be implemented
to consider our customs points as unified, which makes it convenient
for our citizens and businessmen to cross the Armenian-Georgian border.
The second priority is the development of joint tourist routes,
under the auspices of the World Tourism Organization, which was also
registered today. It first of all concerns the European tourism. Our
research has shows that European tourists prefer to visit two countries
in one week. This means that we should develop joint tourist routs.
The third priorities are the unified infrastructures, in particular
in the energy sector. High-energy-related infrastructure construction
works have already started, and they are also priorities of mutual
interest for us.
Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri: I would like to point out two
important projects that are being carried out between Armenia and
Georgia. First, the joint border points, which are very important
for trade, especially, if we take into account that this year,
compared to last year's results, the trade turnover increased by
42%. The modernization of the border points is also very important
for tourists, to allow the Armenian citizens to have easy access to
Georgia and vice versa.
The second important issue is the energetic. High energy power line
communication wires from Georgia to Armenia will be improved, which
will ensure the safety of the people in both countries
From: Baghdasarian
Office of the Prime Minister
www.gov.am
Nov 21 2011
Armenia
After the sitting of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental
commission, Prime Ministers Tigran Sargsyan and Nika Gilauri signed
the protocol on the results of the 9th sitting of the commission.
Afterwards, the heads of the governments held a joint press conference,
the transcript of which is presented in its entirety.
Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri: Once again, I would like to
thank those, who worked on this protocol. The experts, from both
Armenian and Georgian sides have worked quite well. 19 issues of
social, economic and other areas are reflected in the protocol.
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: I first of all want to
thank the Prime Minister of Georgia for the warm welcome and excellent
working conditions. I would also like to thank the participants of
the working groups, who have carried out an enormous amount of work.
Dozens of issues were discussed, which, we are convinced, will
contribute to the enlargement and deepening of Armenian-Georgian
relations.
My question is directed to the Prime Minister of Georgia. What do
you think of reducing the tariffs for the Yerevan-Batumi flights
and making them more frequent? And my second question, what are the
available programs for modernization of the Armenian-Georgian border
crossing points?
Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri: The Yerevan-Batumi flight is
very profitable for private companies. None of the airline companies
are state, all of them are private, and thus, they decide if this
or that flight is beneficial or not. I think they should be very
beneficial. I urge the Armenian and Georgian airlines consider the
Yerevan-Batumi flights. We, on a governmental level, have gained
an open skies agreement, which makes it possible for any company to
manage flights. It should be very profitable for them, because there
is a really great demand for them.
Now regarding the second question; the main program is that the works
of the Armenian-Georgian border crossing points are united. We have
already implemented such projects on the Georgian-Turkish border, in
Sarpi, and made sure that it is very effective. The costs for passing
the border have been reduced twice. Now, instead of the crossing the
border twice, people will cross it once. We want to implement the
same project on the Armenian-Georgian border as soon as possible.
My colleague has already asked about the flights, but we know that
Armenian tourists travel to Georgia mostly by cars. It is knows that
there is a project of Yerevan-Batumi highway construction, which will
reduce the waste of the time. What stage are the works in and when
will they be completed?
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: Within two weeks we should
be wrapping up the results of the contest for the North-South road
construction. We are implementing this project in cooperation with the
Asian Development Bank. For the first time, Armenia is going to have
a modern highway in accordance with the international standards. The
traffic criteria of this highway will allow high-speed vehicles to
cross the Armenian-Georgian border. Our Georgian partners have also
been implementing a similar project with the Asian Development Bank.
Once this large-scale project is completed, our citizens will be
able to reach Batumi on an improved and quality way. It will reduce
the waste of time significantly; the road will be comfortable and,
naturally, will increase the inflow of tourists to Batumi.
My question is directed to the two Prime Ministers. Which are your
main priorities in the signed protocol?
Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: The priority for us is the
modernization of the three border points. With the financial support
of the EU, we will begin the construction in 2012 in accordance with
the best international standards. As the Prime Minister of Georgia
noted, we want a new customs clearance methodology to be implemented
to consider our customs points as unified, which makes it convenient
for our citizens and businessmen to cross the Armenian-Georgian border.
The second priority is the development of joint tourist routes,
under the auspices of the World Tourism Organization, which was also
registered today. It first of all concerns the European tourism. Our
research has shows that European tourists prefer to visit two countries
in one week. This means that we should develop joint tourist routs.
The third priorities are the unified infrastructures, in particular
in the energy sector. High-energy-related infrastructure construction
works have already started, and they are also priorities of mutual
interest for us.
Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri: I would like to point out two
important projects that are being carried out between Armenia and
Georgia. First, the joint border points, which are very important
for trade, especially, if we take into account that this year,
compared to last year's results, the trade turnover increased by
42%. The modernization of the border points is also very important
for tourists, to allow the Armenian citizens to have easy access to
Georgia and vice versa.
The second important issue is the energetic. High energy power line
communication wires from Georgia to Armenia will be improved, which
will ensure the safety of the people in both countries
From: Baghdasarian