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President Serzh Sargsyan paid today a working visit to Tavush province. The President attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new checkpoint in Bagratashen. The checkpoint is being constructed in the framework of the RA State Border Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan Modernization Program. In Bagratashen, the President was familiarized with the process of implementation of this 60.6 million Euro worth program and forthcoming works. Reports were made by the Head of the RA Government State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatrian, Head of the EU Delegation in Armenia Traian Hristea, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Bradley Busetto, Head of the National Security Strategy Implementation Department of the RA National Security Council Aram Tananian. The event was also attended by representatives of the state border control bodies, international and international financial organizations, diplomatic corps, and mass media.

Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan checkpoint modernization program is carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), construction works are conducted by the French SADE Consortium and the State Revenue Service is coordinating the entire process. The program is financed by the EU grant and other credits.

The program will allow to solve the problem of the installment and development of a comprehensive system of management of the RA state borders, enhancement of security at the state borders, facilitation of border crossing processes for the citizens and business entities and will enhance international trade. It is expected that the modernization of the cross-points will also considerably improve the living standards for the local population since it will create temporary jobs for the period of construction and permanent jobs when the construction is completed. It will allow to ensure smooth flow of economic activities through the checkpoint. In addition, the population will see improvements in the communication and information related issues.

The modernization process of the RA border checkpoints commenced back in 2010 under the Presidential decree on the adoption of the RA state border security and comprehensive management strategy, which was followed by the adoption of a program in 2011 aimed at the realization of relevant measures for the implementation of the strategy in the period of 2011-2015. The program mentions as a priority the modernization of three checkpoints – Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan.

On July 22, 2013, the President signed another decree, which implies introduction at the RA state border checkpoint crossing procedures of the One Stop, One Window approach, the presidential press service reports.