Armenia Spends $2.5 Million Renovating Margara Checkpoint on Turkey Border

Armenia has completed a major renovation project at the Margara checkpoint on its border with Turkey, investing over 1 billion Armenian drams (equivalent to around $2.5 million) to modernize this crossing point. Rustam Badasyan, the Chairman of Armenia's State Revenue Committee (SRC), announced the completion of the renovations during a briefing with journalists. The renovations are part of a broader effort to open the border crossing to a limited group of people under a new agreement between Armenia and Turkey.

Originally, the project was budgeted at 800 million drams, but the costs ultimately exceeded initial estimates, amounting to a little over 1 billion drams. Badasyan explained that the increase was due to the scope of work required to make the checkpoint ready for anticipated traffic and security demands. "We initially planned for a lower budget, but the final expenses reflect the extent of infrastructure improvements needed to properly manage the new flow of people,” he noted.

With these upgrades, the Margara checkpoint now has facilities adequate to serve travelers allowed under the new Armenia-Turkey agreement, including citizens from third countries and individuals holding diplomatic passports. The SRC Chairman affirmed that the updated checkpoint will support this limited movement across the border, though it remains closed to the general public.

The Armenia-Turkey border has been closed since the early 1990s, primarily due to Turkey’s alignment with Azerbaijan amid ongoing tensions over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey has long restricted its border with Armenia in solidarity with Azerbaijan. However, recent diplomatic efforts between Armenia and Turkey have brought limited progress, including this agreement to open the Margara checkpoint under controlled circumstances.

When asked if Turkish representatives would be present at the checkpoint, Badasyan clarified that Armenian customs authorities would be solely responsible for overseeing customs control on Armenia’s side of the border. “Only Armenian customs officials will be managing operations at the Margara checkpoint,” he emphasized, ruling out any Turkish involvement in managing the crossing on Armenian soil.

While the new measures do not signify a full reopening of the Armenia-Turkey border, the Margara checkpoint renovation represents a modest yet symbolic step forward. Both countries have maintained strained relations, rooted in deep-seated historical and geopolitical issues. Armenia has long sought international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which Turkey continues to deny. Moreover, Turkey has stood as a close ally to Azerbaijan’s invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The renovated checkpoint offers a glimpse of potential future cooperation between Armenia and Turkey, though there is no indication that either side is prepared to fully normalize relations. Armenian officials have also hinted that further details about checkpoint operations and any other border arrangements could come from Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the future, reflecting the cautious, carefully measured approach both countries are taking as they explore limited areas of collaboration.