The calculations that as a result of unblocking the communication channels in the region, Armenia's GDP will grow by 30 percent is a forecast that takes into account many factors. Of course, no one predicted what kind of fragmentation would occur in the world, that different economic blocs would separate from each other, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am

"We also have our plans: the construction of the North-South route, now the issue of building a fast transport route between Armenia and Europe is being discussed quite intensively. You also know that we are moving forward quickly in the Gyumri dry port project. All of this is to help us get those economic benefits from de-blockage of the region. Today I can say that if before we assumed it would be 30 percent, now we can expect even more. The world is fragmenting and we want to be a bridge among those fragments," said the minister.

When asked if there is any research to claim such a thing, he answered: "We're updating that research right now, the task force is working, we'll have more recent research on our potential in the next few months."

As for if only the Meghri railway is opened, what will it give to Armenia, especially considering that the country has to spend $200 million to repair that section, Kerobyan responded: "The Margara checkpoint [on Armenia’s border with Turkey] was opened first—albeit, temporary. There is already an agreement that in June the border will be opened for tourists, for third countries, there is an agreement to restore the Ani bridge.

Now we are in such a turbulent situation that various changes, exacerbations, reversals of some agreements are possible. But today, the first communication that we imagine should be opened is the tourist section of the Armenian-Turkish border.

With the opening of the road you mentioned, the direct road from Armenia to Iran will be opened near Yeraskh [village], which is also a very important road for us in terms of railway and motor vehicle transport. We do not think that the road to Meghri will be opened sooner than the road from Armenia to Iran via Nakhichevan. And if we compare those two with each other, then our economic benefits will be very big," Kerobyan emphasized.