Armenia May Have Two Ferries Soon, Says Papikyan

During today’s question and answer session in the National Assembly, MP Mikayel Melkumyan from the Prosperous Armenia faction directed a question to the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures, Suren Papikyan. The question concerned the roads servicing export routes for the agricultural sector. The MP noted that the upper Lars border crossing has a bi-directional capacity of 170 trucks per day, even though up to 800 trucks are passing through. Additionally, the nearest phytosanitary laboratory is located 130 km away from Lars.

“Considering that the capacity of the roads servicing our agricultural export routes is limited, it’s time we think about the Poti-Novorossiysk ferry,” Melkumyan stated, inquiring whether measures are being taken in this direction, as reconstruction work at Lars will begin in April-May, further reducing capacity.

Suren Papikyan replied that there was an opportunity to address this issue during the budget discussion. “I mentioned that I plan to go to Russia to negotiate with my colleagues, where this topic will also be raised. Negotiations have been ongoing and will continue during the upcoming 'Transport Week' event scheduled for the 18th to 21st of this month,” said Papikyan. He noted that there has been preliminary interest expressed concerning Armenia’s desire to have two ferries. “Now, this opportunity is available, as there are currently ferries stranded on the Russian side in Crimea, and we need to discuss how to provide them to us in the most affordable way. The ball is in our partners’ court; they need to respond, and I cannot add anything more at this point,” concluded Papikyan.