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RUSSIA SEEKS WAYS TO CONNECT ARMENIA VIA GEORGIA
The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 29 2014
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, October 29
Moscow is seeking ways to overcome difficulties and link with Armenia
via Georgia. Andrey Belyaninov, the head of Russia?s Federal Customs
Service stressed that the Russian side has held several meetings
with Georgian representatives regarding this issue. He admitted
that the Kazbegi-upper Lars checkpoint depends on climate change,
and landslides block this road quite often.
"There are also air cargo routes. However, these routes are very
expensive. By the way, we are going to meet with our Turkish, Georgian
and Azerbaijani counterparts in Georgia in November in order to discuss
this issue. We meet our Armenian counterparts every day regarding the
above-mentioned. Armenia does not have a common border with Russia,
this fact creates additional problems," Belyaninov said.
Russia has already launched the restoration of the road at the
Dagestani section on July 2.This road was closed in 1992.
As head of the Dagestan Auto Door, Zagid Khuchbarov said that "30
billion rubles will be spent to build the Avaro-Kakheti road section."
According to Khuchbarov, Ramzan Abdulatipov, the President of Dagestan,
is paying a great deal of attention to this project.
Georgian government members have already had to make comments over
the issue.
Georgia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi
Kvirikashvili said that the construction of the Dagestan road is not
on the agenda.
"There are two main aspects in this case: security and economic
benefits. Both must be analyzed by professionals and we must realize
what the risks will be or the positives we can receive from the
construction of the road. However, we must think twice before giving
any permission," stated Kvirikashvili.
The opposition United National Movement claims that the re-opening
of the road will be risky for Georgia, as the road might be used
as a lever for Russia to annex Georgia in the case of a future
confrontation.
Commenting on the threat, analyst Demur Giorkhelidze suggested that
there is no deterrent factor that will prevent Russia from entering
Georgia.
"20% of Georgian territory is occupied. That's why construction of the
new road will not change the threat of Russian intervention. When it
comes to economic benefits, the road will not play any crucial role
for Georgia's economy either," Giorkhelidze said.
Fellow analyst Malkhaz Chemia believes that opening such roads are
beneficial for countries.
"The road is in the interests of several players. In general, common
economic interests decrease a chance of any conflict," Chemia says.
However, analyst in Caucasus issues, Aleko Kvakhadze, states that
opening the road might entail serious risks to Georgia. According to
the analyst, in the case of some confrontation between Georgia and
Russia, the latter might use the road for its tanks and block the
Kakheti region in a short period.
http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/3233_october_29_2014/3233_gvanca.html
From: Baghdasarian
The Messenger, Georgia
Oct 29 2014
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, October 29
Moscow is seeking ways to overcome difficulties and link with Armenia
via Georgia. Andrey Belyaninov, the head of Russia?s Federal Customs
Service stressed that the Russian side has held several meetings
with Georgian representatives regarding this issue. He admitted
that the Kazbegi-upper Lars checkpoint depends on climate change,
and landslides block this road quite often.
"There are also air cargo routes. However, these routes are very
expensive. By the way, we are going to meet with our Turkish, Georgian
and Azerbaijani counterparts in Georgia in November in order to discuss
this issue. We meet our Armenian counterparts every day regarding the
above-mentioned. Armenia does not have a common border with Russia,
this fact creates additional problems," Belyaninov said.
Russia has already launched the restoration of the road at the
Dagestani section on July 2.This road was closed in 1992.
As head of the Dagestan Auto Door, Zagid Khuchbarov said that "30
billion rubles will be spent to build the Avaro-Kakheti road section."
According to Khuchbarov, Ramzan Abdulatipov, the President of Dagestan,
is paying a great deal of attention to this project.
Georgian government members have already had to make comments over
the issue.
Georgia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi
Kvirikashvili said that the construction of the Dagestan road is not
on the agenda.
"There are two main aspects in this case: security and economic
benefits. Both must be analyzed by professionals and we must realize
what the risks will be or the positives we can receive from the
construction of the road. However, we must think twice before giving
any permission," stated Kvirikashvili.
The opposition United National Movement claims that the re-opening
of the road will be risky for Georgia, as the road might be used
as a lever for Russia to annex Georgia in the case of a future
confrontation.
Commenting on the threat, analyst Demur Giorkhelidze suggested that
there is no deterrent factor that will prevent Russia from entering
Georgia.
"20% of Georgian territory is occupied. That's why construction of the
new road will not change the threat of Russian intervention. When it
comes to economic benefits, the road will not play any crucial role
for Georgia's economy either," Giorkhelidze said.
Fellow analyst Malkhaz Chemia believes that opening such roads are
beneficial for countries.
"The road is in the interests of several players. In general, common
economic interests decrease a chance of any conflict," Chemia says.
However, analyst in Caucasus issues, Aleko Kvakhadze, states that
opening the road might entail serious risks to Georgia. According to
the analyst, in the case of some confrontation between Georgia and
Russia, the latter might use the road for its tanks and block the
Kakheti region in a short period.
http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/3233_october_29_2014/3233_gvanca.html
From: Baghdasarian