At the initiative of the Ministry of Transport of China, a high-level meeting on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route was recently held in Beijing, attended by a delegation from Armenia. During the meeting, an agreement was signed, according to which Armenia and China will facilitate the process of freight transportation.
«Armenpress»- In an interview with the delegation's representative, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Kristine Galecyan noted that the meetings were quite effective and stood out with concrete results.
“First of all, I would like to note that the meeting discussed issues aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and increasing the volume of freight transportation. Important emphases were the development of infrastructure, simplification of border and customs procedures, and digitalization. I would especially like to emphasize the agreement on international road passenger transport between Armenia and China, which was signed during this meeting,” said Kristine Galecyan.
Speaking about the importance of the agreement, the deputy minister noted that it provides an opportunity to carry out freight transportation between Armenia and China and in the opposite direction in a simplified manner.
“Today, freight transportation is already carried out between the two countries, now the new agreement stipulates that freight carriers will receive the corresponding permission through a specially implemented system, which will be recognized by both countries and will allow freight transportation to be carried out under more simplified procedures. The permission will be at two levels - for general freight transportation and for special cargo,” said Kristine Galecyan, emphasizing that companies will not be able to carry out freight transportation within Armenia or China, it is exclusively about international and transit transportation.
The deputy minister also considers it important to emphasize that within the framework of the agreement, carriers will be exempt from a number of road taxes and fees. In particular, the agreement stipulates that on a reciprocal basis, transportation will be carried out that will be exempt from taxes or fees established for public roads, as well as from special fees and taxes provided for by the national legislation of the respective party.
“It is important to make one reservation here. The exemption from the specified requirements will not apply to taxes, fees, and payments that are charged in accordance with the legislation of each party for compensation for damage caused by vehicles on highways. This is that exception,” said the deputy minister.
Kristine Galecyan emphasized that the agreement will contribute to increasing Armenia's transit and logistical role, as well as expanding trade turnover between Armenia and China and deepening strategic cooperation.
The permissions for transportation will be provided by the competent authorities of the respective countries. In Armenia, the competent authority is the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, in China - the Ministry of Transport. The agreement provides for the possibility of organizing both regular and irregular international bus passenger transport, of course, along agreed routes and border crossings.
