What the Opening of the Armenia-Turkey Border Will Bring: Media

Experts in Armenia have approximately calculated the initial benefits resulting from the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border. Specifically, the launch of direct freight transportation through the "Margar" checkpoint to Turkey will reduce the time goods spend on the road, decrease fuel costs, and increase export volumes. Moreover, Armenian transporters will not have to pay third countries for transit.

This information was provided to Sputnik Armenia by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure in response to a written inquiry.

The media reports that currently, freight transportation between Armenia and Turkey is mainly conducted through the territory of Georgia. According to the results of 2022, Turkey imported 3.1 tons of goods to Armenia by air, while 24,903.8 tons were transported by trucks through Georgian territory. Thus, the lion's share of exports from Turkey to Armenia—99.9%—is carried out overland (via Georgia), with only 0.01% delivered by air.

With the border opening, freight transportation from Armenia to Turkey and vice versa could occur in three directions: Akhurik (Shirak Province), Margara (Armavir Province), and Hushakert (Armavir Province). At this moment, it is unclear which of the three routes will be utilized, as specifics will be determined after the exact routes are clarified and the border is officially opened.

Additionally, there is no final accounting of the potential benefits from the border opening yet, as work in this direction is still ongoing. The ministry has calculated that when transporting goods via the new route, a truck weighing 40 tons (including the weight of the vehicle and its cargo) will spend about three hours less on the road and save 75 liters of fuel. Furthermore, transport companies will not have to pay third countries, in this case, Georgia, for transit.

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