Alternative to Lars: Roads Not Renovated for 15-20 Years, Says Hakob Arshakyan

The Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, Hakob Arshakyan, agrees that the modernization of road infrastructure is crucial for economic revolution, as it also serves as a connection to the outside world. In an interview with Tert.am, he mentioned that this understanding is why the government will allocate an additional 5 billion dram to road construction this year for both interstate and adjacent roads.

“I believe the effects of this will be felt by the end of this year, because we have roads that haven’t been renovated for 15-20 years, and there, of course, we have serious problems. Among those roads are also the connections to Iran and Georgia,” he stated.

Regarding the alternative to Lars, Arshakyan pointed out that the process is slowing down not due to the Armenian side. He noted that the negotiations are mainly within the framework of the Russian-Georgian agenda.

“The negotiations are between two different countries, and we are the third party, the interested party, not a direct participant,” Arshakyan said.

Touching upon the possibility of constructing a railway line with Iran, a topic that has seen much discussion, he emphasized that like any investment project, this too must be calculated. He assured that politically there is no problem.