Monday, 27 August 2012
RA Government and UNDP Sign an Agreement Launching the Projects to Modernize RA State Borders
Today, in the presence of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, RA Government and the United Nations Development Programme signed a co-financing agreement marking the start of the projects for modernization of Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan border crossing points of Republic of Armenia.
On behalf of the RA Government the documents were signed by the RA Minister of Finance Vache Gabrielyan and the president of RA State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan, and by the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Dirk Boberg, on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme.
The documents have been signed in pursuance of the Presidential Decree on “The Strategy on Border Security and Integrated State Border Management” and the provisions and requirements of the ensuing 2011-2015 action plan adopted by the RA Government.
The project aims to modernize Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan border crossing points, in conformity with international standards for integrated management. It is expected to establish modern infrastructures within the framework of the projects, to create favorable conditions for the business world, as well as to facilitate the movement of people and goods crossing the border.
At the same time, it is planned to improve the security at the borders, to facilitate the legitimate movement of people, goods and vehicles between Armenia and Georgia, and later on of people in EU countries, to develop inter-agency cooperation and contribute to the exchange of operational information, which will allow to localize EU borders complex management principles and experience, as well as improve the living conditions of the residents of bordering communities.
The Government of Armenia signed a loan agreement worth 30, 316 million Euros with the European Investment Bank for the implementation of the project. It is also planned to sing a loan agreement worth 10, 3 million Euros with the Bank of Reconstruction and Development. The European Investment Bank will also coordinate the works of receiving a 12 million euro grant from the EU Neighborhood Investment Facility.
EU Eastern Partnership Integrated Border Management Initiative provided a 3, 5 million euro grant to the budget of the project, and the UN Development Program allocated funds worth around 0, 8 million Euros.
