On 9 July, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) press service reported that the Bank would support the construction of the “Friendship Bridge” to improve the cross-border connection between Armenia and Georgia, reported arka.am. 

Located 60 kilometres from Tbilisi and 200 kilometres from Yerevan, the bridge at the Sadakhlo-Bagratashen checkpoint is the main crossing between Georgia and Armenia. The total project cost is €10.3 million, committed as part of the Northern Corridor Modernization Project, a regional initiative to modernise and upgrade the border infrastructure to EU standards. In addition to the EBRD, the European Investment Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Program, jointly with the governments of Armenia and Georgia, committed to finance this project, with the total cost of €62.6 million. 

The Northern Corridor Modernisation Project is aimed at the reconstruction of existing infrastructure to meet international standards, along with the construction of new buildings at Armenia’s three border control facilities on the Armenian-Georgian border. The improved border crossing points, equipped for vehicles and pedestrians, already facilitate more efficient and increased processing capacity, as well as providing a multi-directional road crossing for international cargo and passenger traffic. The bridge is the cross-border component of the Northern Corridor Modernisation Project, and its construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. 

“This is a significant milestone and EBRD is delighted to be part of this joint effort. The Friendship Bridge is a symbol of the enduring bond between two nations. Improvement in the border crossing conditions also helps to create a more efficient economic transport corridor facilitating regional trade and passenger flows. As always, we are firmly committed to supporting the development of a reliable and modern infrastructure in the region,” said Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, the EBRD Regional Director for the Caucasus said. “We look forward to continuing our successful cooperation with the country’s authorities, with the European Union and with other development partners to support development of Armenia’s infrastructure and enhance cross-border mobility. This bridge project will foster flow of goods and of people,” Dimitri Gvindadze the Head of the EBRD Yerevan Office said.

The EBRD is the leading institutional investor in Armenia. The Bank has invested more than €1.51 billion in 189 projects in the country’s financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with 90% of those investments in the private sector.