Republican Party of Armenia

 During his working visit to Georgia, together with Georgian Premier Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan visited today Daryali (Kazbegi) border checkpoint on the Georgian-Russian border.

The two heads of government inspected the ongoing activities and talked to checkpoint employees. In particular, Hovik Abrahamyan asked about the problems faced by Armenian Russia-bound transit trucks and also how long the whole procedure takes. The Head of Government took the opportunity to talk to Armenian citizens traveling to Russia.

Following the tour, the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia summed up the visit. According to the agreements reached, the working day at Daryali checkpoint will be extended for additional 3.5 hours (6.5 hours in total for the past month). Under the new arrangement, the checkpoint will be open from 05.30 AM to midnight. Note that a month ago, after a meeting of the Prime Ministers, the work schedule was extended by 3 hours (06.00-21.00 instead 06.00-18.00).

The Premiers discussed the possibility of minimizing the time needed for the customs clearance of Armenian trucks and, in general, simplifying the border crossing process. Reference was made to the construction of the Friendship Bridge. The parties agreed to start construction as soon as possible.

The interlocutors next refereed to those sections of the Georgia-Russia Highway, where there is a constant risk of landslides and rockslides. The Georgian side said steps are underway to maximize traffic safety on those road sections. In particular, they will be broadened and provided with increased lighting facilities.

Later today, the Prime Minister-led government delegation returned to Yerevan.