– Mr. Khacahatryan, the demand to modernize the border points was raised by the RA President last year, during his business visit to Tavush. Last year two inter department working–groups were created, which were to present program and schedule for modernization of border points. Taking into account the fact that you are the head of one of these working groups; can you say at what stage the activities are?
– The demand for the border points to be modernized and meet the European standards is not only addressed to the customs service, but to all the other border departments, since the issue is to improve not only the customs service at state border, but all the other procedures as well, to integrate activities of various border departments, to legally regulate the border security issues and make them correspond to the international best practice. The principle of integrated management of borders lies in the basis of all this, which excludes the duplication of activities and raises the effectiveness of border control. So the idea of implementation of free trade may be brought into life as well, which will contribute to the conclusion of comprehensive agreement on “Free trade” between Armenia and Euro Union. With a view to realize all these reforms last year two inter department working groups were created by the decision of RA government headed by the Minister of Justice and me.
A lot of work has been done for this purpose and we have a timeline of improving the border passing point, according to which not only the buildings of the passing point will be reconstructed, but the entire infrastructure as well. Also in consideration of the principle “on stop – one window” and our agreement with the income service of Georgia, we have established a separate working group in the tax system of Armenia. They will be in charge of controlling and institutional reforms in the passing point, as well as improving information technologies and integration issues.
– In the first phase the border passing points of Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan have been selected. Why is the reason that these passing points have been selected?
– The issue of modernization of border points is essential especially at the Armenian-Russian border. The buildings at the passing points have not been built for that purpose specifically, thus they are not comfortable for serving with modern policies and technologies. In addition, most of the trade between Armenia and Georgia is passing through these passing points. We are going not only to reconstruct, but built new buildings in accordance with modern requirements and technological facilities. These works are in process. Specifically, we are finishing the planning works in support with the UN, which are implemented in cooperation with Lithuanian ARHIS organization, which is experienced in this sector.
– Mr. Khachatryan, as far as we know the government will announce tender for the construction works at the border passing points and you will be included in the selection committee as the chairman. Do you know the approximate date of starting the works?
– It is realistic that the tender will be announced this fall. If we follow our work plan we will start the works in November and will complete during 2012. We are going to enlarge the areas of the passing points. We will also build a new bridge in the passing point of Bagratashen, on the river Debet. The existing bridge will be reconstructed as well. As a result of these works we will escape from lines and jams at the border and will be able to serve 4-5 times more cars. New facilities will be installed as well. There will be facilities for sanitary control. The infrastructures will be improved too. In the passing points of Bagratashen and Bavra we will build parking and landing areas for helicopters. We will enlarge the area of the passing point of Gogavan twice. The government will declare some of the lands of the surrounding areas that belong to villagers as primary and priority for state needs and will buy them. Now we are negotiating and will pay the people to buy their lands based on bilateral agreements. We will have quite new quality of border control after these improvements.
– Will the customs procedures have new quality as well?
– Sure. The new passing points will have simplified procedures. During the past times we have done some works to reduce the paperwork and save time on it, but there will be more recommendations to be discussed and implemented. Now we cannot calculate the total time spent on the procedures as the system is not automated. However the president has instructed us to use electronic technologies at the border for registration processes, which will enable to control and cut down the time on customs proceedings. We will have cameras, which will help us to control the time spent on customs proceedings. As a result of these reforms the procedures will be simplified and the corruption risks will be reduced. We will improve the quality of the serve too and the staff will have to show the highest level of ethical norms to the people passing the border. During these reforms we will be cooperating with both state institutions and customs services of other countries, which will enable us to use the best practices and experiences in Armenia, developing contacts with the customs services of other countries and exchanging customs declarations through electronic sources. By the way, as the works will be done at the Armenian-Georgian border, we will cooperate with the Georgian party too. Now we are preparing an agreement for border works cooperation with the Georgian party, which will be signed soon. We are going to sign another such agreement with Iran, which has been confirmed by the government already.
– One of the most important reforms is to have one window and one stop for all procedures. Will it be effective?
– First of all we will exclude repetition of many procedures and the control will be more effective. The service will be implemented in complex and will become more effective. The principle of one window helps people to get rid of many unnecessary bureaucratic procedures. We expect that after all these reforms the border proceedings will be as simple and effective as in European countries. Also, in consideration of the fact that the customs points of European countries have been built years ago, we will use more modern facilities and technologies in our new border passing points.
Armen Vardanyan