The project to build the Bargushat Tunnel was discussed at Pashinyan’s meeting with Macron.

ArmInfo.  A meeting between RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron was held at the Élysée Palace. This was reported by the press service of the RA government.

Emmanuel Macron thanked the Prime Minister for accepting the invitation to participate in the first International Space Summit. The French President attached great importance to the further development of bilateral relations in all areas in accordance with the bilateral declaration on strategic cooperation.

Nikol Pashinyan, in turn, thanked him for the invitation and warm hospitality, and pointed to the need to deepen cooperation with France in the space sector. The head of state noted that Armenia is interested in a more substantive partnership in this area.

The interlocutors noted that economic cooperation is one of the priority areas of the strategic partnership between the two countries. In this context, the sides emphasized the consistent implementation by the Government of the Republic of Armenia of steps aimed at diversifying the economy.

It was noted with satisfaction that the construction of the Bargushat Tunnel has entered a substantive stage. In this regard, the importance of starting construction work as soon as possible was emphasized.

Regional processes were also touched upon. The importance of consistently implementing steps aimed at strengthening peace was noted.

This was followed by an official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in honor of the heads of state and government participating in the International Space Summit.

It should be noted that the Bargushat Tunnel discussed at the meeting is being built in Armenia by a consortium of two French companies, Vinci Construction Grands Projects and Razel - Bec Sas. Bargushat Tunnel

- is a key infrastructure project in Armenia, which will become the longest tunnel in the country (approximately 8.65 km). It is part of the large-scale project to build the new Sisian-Kajaran road, which is part of the "North-South" transport corridor.  The new 60-kilometer Sisian-Kajaran road will be in the second technical category. It will run through difficult mountainous terrain and include 27 bridges with a total length of 4.7 km and 9 tunnels with a total length of 12.5 km (the longest being the Bargushat Tunnel, approximately 8.6 km long).  Of the EU’s total financial assistance package to Armenia of 2.6 billion euros over the next five years, 600 million euros will be allocated for the construction of the Kajaran-Sisian road. Another 200 million dollars will be provided by the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development. The ADB has already allocated 500 million dollars.  The 60-km road section will have a design speed of 80 km/h.  The "North-South" project will reduce the distance from the Iranian border to the Georgian border from 556 to 490 kilometers. The road will significantly facilitate access to the Black Sea not only for Armenia but also for Iran. The project will provide access to the Black Sea and European countries through the territories of Armenia (Meghri-Kapan-Goris-Yerevan-Ashtarak-Gyumri-Bavra) and Georgia.  Construction of the corridor was initially planned to be completed in 2019.  The cost of the program was repeatedly revised upward.  In September 2012, when construction of the highway began, the amount cited by representatives of the Armenian government was several times lower—$962 million; today, investments of approximately 3 billion dollars are being discussed.

It should also be noted that VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Razel-Bec Sas are known as major international construction companies engaged in complex tunnels and infrastructure projects.