YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The Telethon 2014 of “Hayastan” All Armenian Fund will be held on November 24, Armenpress reports citing the Fund’s official website.

Armenia Fund will host the 17th International Telethon on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2014 from 8am to 8pm PST. Proceeds from the Telethon will benefit the construction of the Vardenis to Martakert Highway – linking the northern regions of Armenia and Artsakh. The highway will help connect villages and cities and will promote socio-economic development, boost trade, and cooperation in both countries regions.

Since late January 2014, construction works have commenced on several stretches of the highway with widening and earth works underway. The current phase involves the preparation of the platform (the base level). This includes laying the bases of the sidewalks, achieving basic width as per the blueprints, and elevating certain portions of the road to bring them to a required level. These works have commenced on the entire stretch from the border with Armenia and up to its final point in Martakert.

Vardenis-Martakert Highway, strategically linking Artsakh to Armenia from the North has a critical importance for both countries. It is the missing link to fully integrate Armenia's and Artsakh's highway systems and connect Artsakh to Armenia's and subsequently, Europe's railway system. The economic development spurred by the highway has the potential to double Artsakh's GDP by 2020. The highway seriously stimulates creation of jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and trade.