Extensive Construction of Alternative Roads Underway in Syunik Province: Prime Minister

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the final meeting of the inter-agency working group on Syunik issues was held today. According to the government report, opening the meeting, Prime Minister Pashinyan stated, “Hello, dear colleagues. As you know, an inter-agency working group on Syunik issues was established by the Prime Minister's decision on January 15 of this year, and we have gathered today to summarize the results of the working group for this year. I want to note that in 2021, around 1.1 billion drams were allocated and implemented in the Syunik province through the working group. These programs have a wide range, from agriculture to sports, and I believe that in this new environment they have had and will have significant importance for increasing and strengthening the resilience of the Syunik province.”

“I would like to emphasize that today, of course, there is a short interruption before the New Year holidays, but extensive construction of alternative roads is underway in the Syunik province. This is also an extremely important program.”

“I want to say that in addition to the working group, we are also implementing other programs in the Syunik province. I would like to discuss a few projects, particularly in the education sector. We have determined that our strategic reforms in the public education sector will begin in the Syunik province, and this new model is being tested first in the consolidated community of Kapan, the administrative center of Syunik, where the government is allocating 9 billion drams for the program to be implemented. Similar programs will also be introduced in other major communities of Syunik province.”

“I would also like to remind you that as a result of cooperation with the European Union, a program of about 80 million euros is planned to be implemented in Syunik province, specifically aimed at increasing the resilience of the region. Today we are actively working on the implementation of the North-South program, particularly the construction of the Sisian-Kajaran and Kajaran-Agarak sections. We hope that the process will start in 2022. This is a significant program, including several bridges and two tunnels measuring 7 and 8 kilometers in length. The program will also have a substantial impact not only on the Syunik province but also on the further development of the Republic of Armenia as a whole.”

“I want to emphasize that the opening of regional communications is also a significant factor for the continued development of the Syunik province. We have already announced that we are starting preparatory work for the construction of the Meghri section of the Yerevan-Julfa-Orduabad-Meghri-Horadiz railway. I must emphasize that due to well-known circumstances, the theme of opening regional communications obviously has certain problems and risks, but I must also point out that it contains very great opportunities. We must work consistently and patiently to manage the risks and highlight the opportunities, and be able to serve the further normal development of the Republic of Armenia, including the Syunik province.”

Robert Ghukasyan, advisor to the Prime Minister and head of the working group, noted that 17 meetings have been held in various settlements of Syunik to date. The group has worked in a round-the-clock mode and has tried to respond to problems as promptly as possible, focusing especially on the social, economic, and security components.

After that, representatives of the relevant agencies, members of the working group, reported on the work done in various sectors. Measures aimed at addressing issues in defense, ensuring safe traffic, road construction, housing construction, social matters, infrastructure improvement, and environmental protection were presented.

The Prime Minister was informed about the ongoing construction and reconstruction of the M-2 alternative roads in Syunik province aimed at ensuring uninterrupted traffic on certain segments of the interstate highway connecting Goris-Kapan, Yerevan-Julfa-Goris-Meghri-Iran border. It was noted that works are underway to ensure the gravel condition, which will guarantee the passability of these road sections for all types of vehicles in all weather conditions. It is envisaged that by 2022, they will be fully asphalted. Prime Minister Pashinyan once again emphasized the importance of these roads and directed to speed up the construction process as much as possible.

Details were also presented to the government leader about the construction of a new apartment complex in Shurnukh. It was reported that the works are ongoing and are planned to be completed within the timeframe stipulated by the contract, in the first half of 2022. The Prime Minister also inquired about steps towards studying the potential of the agricultural sector in Syunik.

Reports were presented on the initiatives taken towards the construction of irrigation systems, provision of agricultural machinery, promotion of business initiatives, and the development of new infrastructure in several communities. In this context, the important role of the expert group providing assistance was emphasized. Robert Ghukasyan reported that the expert group is currently working on the digitization of agricultural land, which is expected to be completed in a month. As a result, an assessment of the economic potential will be expected according to communities, based on which a program for the agricultural future of each community will be developed. Prime Minister Pashinyan instructed that after the work is completed, the results be discussed with the relevant agencies and, if evaluated effectively, to implement it for other regions as well.

During the exchange of ideas, various issues and ideas were discussed, and proposals were presented. Prime Minister Pashinyan expressed gratitude to the members of the working group and the expert group for their work and emphasized that the development agenda of Syunik province is quite extensive and requires patient work towards the implementation of the outlined priorities.