President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan went on a working visit to Tavush marz, Armenia, to participate in the official opening ceremony of the new Bagratashen checkpoint between Armenia and Georgia and get familiar with preparations for construction of the Friendship Bridge between the two countries.

The ceremony was also attended by the delegation headed by Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who arrived specifically for this occasion.

The modernization of Armenia’s checkpoint was launched in 2010, and in August 2012 Armenian Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed the Modernization of Bagratashen, Bavra, Gogavan Border Crossing Points of the Republic of Armenia project.

President Sargsyan attached importance to proper utilization of the checkpoints after the technical launch and provision of quality services, compliant with modern requirements, stressing that the impression from the country begins with the checkpoints.

The total budget of the project is EUR 52,13 million.

Serzh Sargsyan and Georgian Prime Minister also visited the area reserved for the Friendship Bridge construction, and got familiar with preparations. The construction will be launched in 2017.

It is anticipated that the Friendship Bridge will improve the quality of freight and passenger traffic between the two countries, and ensure time-efficient, safe and comfortable movement across the border.