Georgia says ready to restore traffic through upper Lars checkpoint
27.05.2009,
03:28
Georgia stands ready to negotiate with Russia over opening Kazbegi-Upper Lars checkpoint near the Georgian-Russian border, said Shota Gvineriya, official representative of the Georgian Foreign Ministry.
YEREVAN, May 26. /ARKA/. Georgia stands ready to negotiate with Russia over opening Kazbegi-Upper Lars checkpoint near the Georgian-Russian border, said Shota Gvineriya, official representative of the Georgian Foreign Ministry.
The official ceremony of opening the newly constructed international checkpoint Upper Lars took place early this month. The only checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border had been closed for repairs since July 2006. However, the checkpoint is not operating properly due to the Russian-Georgian conflict.
“The Swiss Embassy informed us about Russia’s initiative to launch negotiations over restoring traffic through Upper Lars and Georgia supports this initiative, Novosti-Georgia quoted Gvineriya as saying.
Experts are to open negotiations over the checkpoint’s opening. Russia closed Kazbegi-Upper Lars checkpoint in July 2006, citing the necessity of capital repairs. Official Tbilisi regarded this decision as a political sanction against Georgia, with Russia restricting Georgian imports in the Russian markets.
According to Russian experts, 400 vehicles can pass via Upper Lars every day with 14 traffic lanes.
Armenia is particularly interested in opening of Upper Lars as the only transport route lining the country with Russia.
Georgia broke diplomatic relations with official Moscow after Russia recognized South Ossetia’s independence last August. On the night of August 8, Georgian troops stormed South Ossetia, destroying part of Tskhinvali capital.
Protecting peaceful citizens (most of them had a Russian citizenship), Russia sent forces to the republic and dislodged the Georgian troops from the region. –0--
The official ceremony of opening the newly constructed international checkpoint Upper Lars took place early this month. The only checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border had been closed for repairs since July 2006. However, the checkpoint is not operating properly due to the Russian-Georgian conflict.
“The Swiss Embassy informed us about Russia’s initiative to launch negotiations over restoring traffic through Upper Lars and Georgia supports this initiative, Novosti-Georgia quoted Gvineriya as saying.
Experts are to open negotiations over the checkpoint’s opening. Russia closed Kazbegi-Upper Lars checkpoint in July 2006, citing the necessity of capital repairs. Official Tbilisi regarded this decision as a political sanction against Georgia, with Russia restricting Georgian imports in the Russian markets.
According to Russian experts, 400 vehicles can pass via Upper Lars every day with 14 traffic lanes.
Armenia is particularly interested in opening of Upper Lars as the only transport route lining the country with Russia.
Georgia broke diplomatic relations with official Moscow after Russia recognized South Ossetia’s independence last August. On the night of August 8, Georgian troops stormed South Ossetia, destroying part of Tskhinvali capital.
Protecting peaceful citizens (most of them had a Russian citizenship), Russia sent forces to the republic and dislodged the Georgian troops from the region. –0--
