Georgia ready to negotiate over opening checkpoint “Upper lars”

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26.06.2009, 02:18

Georgia ready to negotiate with Russia over opening the checkpoint of “Upper Lars”, said President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili at a joint press-conference with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan on Wednesday.

YEREVAN, June 25. /ARKA/. Georgia ready to negotiate with Russia over opening the checkpoint of “Upper Lars”, said President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili at a joint press-conference with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan on Wednesday.

Saakashvili said they are ready to negotiate with Russia over opening the checkpoint of “Upper Lars”. He noted the Georgian side has already started reconstruction works of the road and they are ready to open the border and permit cargo and passenger traffic as soon as Russia opens its part of the border.

At the same time Saakashvili reminded that the checkpoint has been closed since September 2004 and it put obstacles in Georgia’s transport system and in shipment of Armenian cargos to markets for realization.

Saakashvili stated their aim is to recommence shipments and carry out free and unimpeded cargo transportation.

President of Georgia noted two flights operate between Yerevan and Tbilisi now and a Yerevan-Batumi flight will open soon. Saakashvili stressed both sides should undertake measures to contribute to cut in air tickets.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in his turn expressed satisfaction that his Georgian counterpart, during his interview to the Public Television of Armenia, as well as during bilateral negotiations said Georgia will not create problems and will also facilitate transit transportation of Armenian goods to Russia.

“We welcome this position and are thankful for that. It is very important for us, especially now when we are in anticipation of harvest realization. I am sure we have to undertake more steps in that direction and we will undertake them soon,” he stressed and added he will inform Saakashvili about the results.

The official ceremony for completing the construction of the international automobile checkpoint “Upper Lars” – the only international automobile checkpoint in the border between Russia and Georgia closed for reconstruction in July 2006 – took place this May 5. However the checkpoint does not operate due to lack of diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia.–0--