Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Georgia Says Ready To Restore Traffic Through Upper Lars Checkpoint

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Georgia Says Ready To Restore Traffic Through Upper Lars Checkpoint

    GEORGIA SAYS READY TO RESTORE TRAFFIC THROUGH UPPER LARS CHECKPOINT

    ARKA
    May 26, 2009

    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 last20August. 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.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Working...
X