Updates
Domestic visits
03
11, 2010
Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Tavush marz
Today, President Serzh Sargsyan conducted a working visit to Tavush marz.
The President of Armenia visited the fully renovated and refurbished Ayrum-Jiliza checkpoint and administrative building of Ayrum train station. The President familiarized with the working conditions of the checkpoint, which allow to conduct customs procedures in accordance with modern high standards and to make monitoring of the checkpoint crossing more efficient.
During the tour of the premises, President Sargsyan was informed that until the recent renovation of the Ayrum-Jiliza checkpoint, customs officials were working in a small, one-story structure built in the middle of the last century, which was not in line with current standards. From now on, the customs procedures will be conducted in a modern, two-story and technically upgraded building which is almost two times bigger than the former one.
At the Ayrum railroad station, the Director General of the South Caucasus Railroads LLT Shevket Shaidullin presented to the President of Armenia works aimed at the retraining of the staff, renovation of the rails, improvement of transportation services.
After that, the President of Armenia visited the Bagratashen checkpoint, toured the premise and familiarized with the problems existing at the checkpoint. Serzh Sargsyan visited also the office for X-ray inspection and the administrative building of customs services where at the conclusion of the tour he conducted a working meeting. The meeting was conducted with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgian, Head of the RA State Revenue Services Gagik Khatchatrian, Minister of Transport and Communications Manuk Vardanian, and other officials.
The President of Armenia highlighted the importance of bringing the checkpoints in line with contemporary requirements, stressing that the pace of works aimed at their modernization shouldn’t slow down. President Sargsyan spoke in particular about creation of proper conditions on the checkpoints for the citizens of Armenia and tourists, noting that the current situation at the checkpoints is far from adequate. Even though modernization will require installment of appropriate equipment and creation of comfortable working conditions for the customs officials, it should be carried out regardless of cost.
“We have to get required funds, and we will. In the coming two or three years, we should be able to create at least two or year modern checkpoints. The first among them will be the Bagratashen checkpoint, the second and the third can be decided on later, although I believe it’s equally true for the checkpoint of Meghri. A lot of fuss, particularly in summer months, is simply unacceptable – for the citizens of our country, as well as for the visitors who come to Armenia,” stressed the President of Armenia, noting that excellent services should not depend only on good working conditions and availability of modern equipment; it is equally important to have professional and diligent staff.
“Unnecessary fuss, obstruction and in many cases certain expectations must be eliminated, and the sooner, the better for all of us and, first of all, for the customs officials working here. The task is to bring all Armenian checkpoints in line with contemporary requirements,” said Serzh Sargsyan.
Afterwards, the President of Armenia instructed the Head of the RA State Revenue Services Gagik Khatchatrian to report on the collection of tax revenues for the first ten months of the current year, reforms conducted in the system of State Revenue Services, and works aimed at the modernization of the checking points. The President of Armenia gave a number of instructions to the leadership of the RA State Revenue Services.
In the framework of his visit ot Tavush marz, President Serzh Sargsyan conducted also a working meeting regarding social and economic issues with the Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgian and the Head of Tavush administration Armen Ghularian.
The President of Armenia visited the fully renovated and refurbished Ayrum-Jiliza checkpoint and administrative building of Ayrum train station. The President familiarized with the working conditions of the checkpoint, which allow to conduct customs procedures in accordance with modern high standards and to make monitoring of the checkpoint crossing more efficient.
During the tour of the premises, President Sargsyan was informed that until the recent renovation of the Ayrum-Jiliza checkpoint, customs officials were working in a small, one-story structure built in the middle of the last century, which was not in line with current standards. From now on, the customs procedures will be conducted in a modern, two-story and technically upgraded building which is almost two times bigger than the former one.
At the Ayrum railroad station, the Director General of the South Caucasus Railroads LLT Shevket Shaidullin presented to the President of Armenia works aimed at the retraining of the staff, renovation of the rails, improvement of transportation services.
After that, the President of Armenia visited the Bagratashen checkpoint, toured the premise and familiarized with the problems existing at the checkpoint. Serzh Sargsyan visited also the office for X-ray inspection and the administrative building of customs services where at the conclusion of the tour he conducted a working meeting. The meeting was conducted with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgian, Head of the RA State Revenue Services Gagik Khatchatrian, Minister of Transport and Communications Manuk Vardanian, and other officials.
The President of Armenia highlighted the importance of bringing the checkpoints in line with contemporary requirements, stressing that the pace of works aimed at their modernization shouldn’t slow down. President Sargsyan spoke in particular about creation of proper conditions on the checkpoints for the citizens of Armenia and tourists, noting that the current situation at the checkpoints is far from adequate. Even though modernization will require installment of appropriate equipment and creation of comfortable working conditions for the customs officials, it should be carried out regardless of cost.
“We have to get required funds, and we will. In the coming two or three years, we should be able to create at least two or year modern checkpoints. The first among them will be the Bagratashen checkpoint, the second and the third can be decided on later, although I believe it’s equally true for the checkpoint of Meghri. A lot of fuss, particularly in summer months, is simply unacceptable – for the citizens of our country, as well as for the visitors who come to Armenia,” stressed the President of Armenia, noting that excellent services should not depend only on good working conditions and availability of modern equipment; it is equally important to have professional and diligent staff.
“Unnecessary fuss, obstruction and in many cases certain expectations must be eliminated, and the sooner, the better for all of us and, first of all, for the customs officials working here. The task is to bring all Armenian checkpoints in line with contemporary requirements,” said Serzh Sargsyan.
Afterwards, the President of Armenia instructed the Head of the RA State Revenue Services Gagik Khatchatrian to report on the collection of tax revenues for the first ten months of the current year, reforms conducted in the system of State Revenue Services, and works aimed at the modernization of the checking points. The President of Armenia gave a number of instructions to the leadership of the RA State Revenue Services.
In the framework of his visit ot Tavush marz, President Serzh Sargsyan conducted also a working meeting regarding social and economic issues with the Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgian and the Head of Tavush administration Armen Ghularian.