The Customs Post Building Near the Turkish Border is Not Operational: State Revenue Committee

The former customs post building in the village of Margara in the Armavir region is not suitable for operation. This information was provided to Sputnik Armenia by the State Revenue Committee of Armenia in response to our written inquiry.

“Construction work on the ‘Margara’ customs point began on April 14, 2023, and is ongoing. Due to the existing buildings being unfit for operation and in an emergency state, they will not be used,” the statement said.

The project includes the construction of a new administrative and service building for the customs, as well as auxiliary structures in an adjacent area. When asked when the border between Armenia and Turkey would be opened for citizens of third countries, the State Revenue Committee did not provide an answer.

In response to an inquiry from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of Armenia, it was stated that several works are planned for the renovation of the road leading to Margara in 2023-2024. However, these works are not related to the potential opening of the border but are intended to ensure road accessibility and safety.

It is noteworthy that in the spring of 2023, the area of the Margara border checkpoint was transferred to the State Revenue Committee of Armenia. At the end of May, the Committee entered into an agreement with ‘Arbak and Sons’ LLC for the preparation of project and budgeting works for the construction of the ‘Margara’ customs post.

The project includes the construction of a one-story service hall, two booths for cargo processing, two booths for the rest of the duty shifts, a one-story customs inspection building, parking lots, platforms, internal roads, two control-checkpoints, and a one-story storage facility.