EU member-states` ambassadors get acquainted with work at Margara  checkpoint at Armenian-Turkish border 

ArmInfo.Ambassadors of the European Union countries visited the Margara checkpoint on the  Armenian-Turkish border, where they inspected the checkpoint territory together with the Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia Rustam Badasyan.

As reported by the press service of the State Revenue Committee,  during the visit the modernized infrastructure of the checkpoint, as  well as the features of border control, were presented. The guests  inspected the service hall of the Margara checkpoint, got acquainted  with the inspection hangar, loading and unloading cabins, warehouse,  parking lots and landscaped area, as well as other infrastructure  facilities equipped with modern technical equipment and built in  accordance with international standards.

At the Margara checkpoint, as well as at other checkpoints of  Armenia, state border control is planned to be carried out on the  basis of the principle of integrated border management within the  framework of the "single window" system.

During the visit, the main directions of customs reforms, including  trade facilitation, digitalization and modernization of  infrastructure, as well as programs and recorded achievements within  the framework of international cooperation were presented.

The ambassadors of the EU countries, emphasizing the importance of  cooperation and joint efforts of the parties, expressed satisfaction  with the work done at the checkpoint.

It was previously reported that the checkpoint on the  Armenian-Turkish border is ready for operation from December 2023.  The Armenian side is waiting for positive signals from Turkey to open  the border for third-country nationals, as well as for persons with  diplomatic passports. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on  August 1 that Turkey may open the border with Armenia if  Armenian-Azerbaijani relations are normalized.

Special Representatives of Armenia and Turkey for the settlement of  Armenian-Turkish relations Ruben Rubinyan and Serdar Kilic agreed to  conduct an assessment of technical needs "in accordance with regional  changes" at the Margara-Alijan border checkpoint, which will allow  opening the border checkpoint near the Akhurik-Akyaka railway. 

Rubinyan and Kilic previously held four meetings - one in Moscow and  three in Vienna. At the last meeting, held on July 1, 2022 in Vienna,  the parties agreed to ensure the possibility of crossing the  Armenian-Turkish land border for third-country citizens and persons  with diplomatic passports as soon as possible, as well as to begin  direct air transportation of goods between Armenia and Turkey.