YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS: The world famous American television and radio host Larry King was present at the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Telethon 2013 held in Los Angeles. Armenpress reports that the former CNN interviewer talked to the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan and got an invitation to visit Artsakh, to which he responded positively. His Eminence Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church stated about it during the Telethon. “Larry King will probably visit Artsakh in the nearest future”, - said Hovnan Derderian.

During the 16th annual telethon “To Artsakh” the Armenians from all over the world have donated more than $22 million 661 thousand 372. The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Telethon was dedicated to raising financial support for the construction of the Vardenis-Martakert Highway, which was expected to be a boon to the further socio-economic development of Artsakh and Armenia alike. Armenpress reports that the highway will be of 116 kilometers length. Last year the telethon “Our Village” of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund collected $21 million 422 thousand 477 or about 8,5 billion drams.

The Vardenis-Martakert Highway likewise will be of key economic and humanitarian importance. By functioning as a direct road link, the highway will become a second lifeline between northern Armenia and northern Artsakh, significantly cutting down travel times, boosting the economies of scores of Artsakh communities along its path, stimulating inter-community ties, and vastly improving geographic access for implementing local development initiatives. Currently the only land-travel link between Artsakh and Armenia is the Berdzor community, through which passes the Goris-Stepanakert Highway.

The highway’s construction will include, in addition to paving and the painting of pavement markings, the installation of water-removal and snowdrift-control systems as well as protective barriers and road signs. Design tweaks and special safety measures will be applied in highway sections prone to landslides. These measures will comprise the construction of support walls and rockfall-attenuation structures, and the removal of rocks. In addition, the project entails the renovation or refitting of 16 bridges along the route. 

The Vardenis-Martakert Highway will bring economic benefits to communities located within up to 20 kilometers on either side of the route. Villages that lie within two to three kilometers of the future highway include Drmbon, Kochoghut, Verin Horatagh, Vaghuhas, Haterk, Getavan, Chapar, Khnkavan, Charektar, Nor Erkej, Dadivank, Nor Getashen, Knaravan, and Yeghegnut. Outlying villages, located five or more kilometers from the highway, include Karvachar, Nor Gharachinar, Harutagomer, Zardakhach, Hamshak, Chapni, Chinavan, Nor Kharkhapur, Shigkar, Nor Brajur, Yeghtsin, Zovk, Nor Vernashen, Msheni, and Nor Manashid.