AZE.US
The European Union plans to finance three new border crossing points in Armenia, including one on the Yeraskh-Nakhchivan route connecting Armenia with Azerbaijan.
EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos announced the plans in an interview with the CivilNet YouTube channel.
According to the diplomat, two crossings are expected to be built on Armenia’s border with Turkey, while the third will be located near Yeraskh, facing Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region.
“There is already an agreement that the European Union is going to fund three new border crossing points, two with Turkey and one with Azerbaijan in Yeraskh, toward Nakhchivan,” Maragos said.
The EU is currently preparing feasibility studies for the projects. Once that work is completed, Brussels intends to finance the construction of the border infrastructure.
Maragos said the crossings are part of broader connectivity projects linked to Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative and its potential inclusion in the Middle Corridor.
He acknowledged, however, that further progress on reopening borders and regional transport links would be required before the projects could become fully operational.
The EU also plans to invest in upgrading roads in northern Armenia to handle the additional traffic that could emerge from expanded regional connectivity.
Letters and statements of intent covering the border crossings and road projects have already been signed with the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
EU Announces $234 Million Regional Grant Package
A new EU connectivity package for the South Caucasus includes 200 million euros, approximately $234 million, in grant funding.
Combined with concessional loans, the package is expected to mobilize around 2 billion euros, or $2.34 billion, in investment across the region.
Maragos said the funding would come in addition to the 2.5 billion euros, approximately $2.93 billion, already planned for projects in Armenia under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.
The ambassador said the EU would not directly finance the U.S.-led TRIPP transport project, although Brussels remained open to identifying possible areas of cooperation.
He said the United States was taking the lead on TRIPP, while the EU would focus primarily on northern routes and other regional infrastructure projects.
EU Proposes Removing Most Tariffs On Armenian Goods
The European Commission has also proposed autonomous trade measures that would liberalize about 80% of trade between Armenia and the European Union.
According to Maragos, the measures would cover 99% of fresh Armenian products affected by current Russian import restrictions.
The proposal still requires approval from EU member states and the European Parliament. Brussels expects the measures to be adopted after the summer recess.
The EU is also providing more than 50 million euros, about $58.6 million, to help Armenian producers and exporters affected by Russian trade restrictions.
Of that amount, 34 million euros, approximately $39.8 million, has already been transferred to the Armenian government. Another 18 million euros, about $21.1 million, is expected to be provided as additional funding.
AZE.US