Modular Booths to be Constructed at Margara Customs Post on Armenian-Turkish Border

Construction work at the Margara customs post on the Armenian-Turkish border has already begun. This information comes from a draft decision adopted at today's session of the Armenian government.

The contractor "Artcon" LLC has already been paid 140.4 million drams for the implementation of the construction and installation works of the first phase of the customs post. The feasibility study documents for the second phase of the customs post construction have undergone simplified examination and received a positive conclusion.

The remaining amount specified in the contract, 110.2 million drams, will be transferred to the contractor on the condition of executing the works for the reinforced concrete slabs of at least three modular booths.

"Due to the defined tight deadlines for the commissioning of the customs post and the non-standard approaches related to its implementation process, there has arisen the need to provide funds to the main contractor 'Artcon' LLC in the amount of forty-four percent of the price of the contract No. PEC-HMA-ASHJB-23/2 signed on June 20, 2023, conditional upon the execution of the works for the reinforced concrete slabs of at least three modular booths," the draft decision states.

It should be noted that diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey do not exist, and the border has been closed since 1993 at Ankara's initiative. The complex relationship is due to several factors, as Turkey supports Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and reacts sharply to the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Yerevan and Ankara announced in December 2021 that they are ready to take concrete steps toward normalizing relations, and both appointed special representatives: Ankara appointed Serdar Kilic, the former ambassador of Turkey in Washington, while Armenia appointed Ruben Rubinyan, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

The parties agreed to continue full normalization negotiations without preconditions. Later, the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced that, under agreements reached with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Armenian-Turkish border is expected to open for citizens of third countries as well as for holders of diplomatic passports by summer.

In spring 2023, the area of the Margara village checkpoint was handed over to the management of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia. At the end of May, the committee signed a contract with "Arbak and Sons" LLC for the preparation of design and estimate works for the construction of the "Margara" customs post.

The project provides for the construction of a single-story service hall, two booths for cargo clearance, two booths for the rest of duty shifts, a one-story building for customs inspection, parking spaces, platforms, internal roads, two control-passport points, and a one-story storage facility.