Upper Lars: Russian-Georgian checkpoint expected to reopen soon
Georgia wants to maintain its role as a transit country in the region
An expert in Western Armenian studies says the expected reopening of the Upper Lars Georgia-Russia checkpoint is a by-product of Armenia-Turkey negotiations.
“The negotiations between Georgia and Russia have been activated soon after the protocols were inked, and especially signed later,” said Haykazun Alvrtsyan, director of the Western Armenians' Studies Center at a press conference today. “After all, when the Armenian-Turkish border is opened, quite different opportunities will be created, and the Upper Lars checkpoint will lose its significance, if it is not opened now.” An expert in Western Armenian studies says the expected reopening of the Upper Lars Georgia-Russia checkpoint is a by-product of Armenia-Turkey negotiations.
“The negotiations between Georgia and Russia have been activated soon after the protocols were inked, and especially signed later,” said Haykazun Alvrtsyan, director of the Western Armenians' Studies Center at a press conference today. “After all, when the Armenian-Turkish border is opened, quite different opportunities will be created, and the Upper Lars checkpoint will lose its significance, if it is not opened now.”
Last week Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili made a decision to repopen Upper Lars, in order to keep its transit status and importance and potential for the countries of the region. The Georgian president noted that thanks to the road, Georgia will get an opportunity of transit for its own loads to third countries through the territory of Russia.
The Russian Federation has gradually removed the embargo for Georgian agricultural, industrial, and food products.
“The closure of Upper Lars checkpoint had serious political significance. However, now its possible opening will also seriously touch upon the interests of other states of the region,” Alvrtsyan says. “It (Georgia) clearly realizes that in this case (of opened Armenia-Turkey borders) it will lose the monopoly of having the geopolitical communication factor.”
At the National Security Council meeting the Georgian president stated that negotiations over the checkpoint opening were held with the participation of Georgia and Russia in Yerevan. Previously Georgia’s deputy Foreign Minister had said Russia played no part in negotiations.
“The negotiations between Georgia and Russia have been activated soon after the protocols were inked, and especially signed later,” said Haykazun Alvrtsyan, director of the Western Armenians' Studies Center at a press conference today. “After all, when the Armenian-Turkish border is opened, quite different opportunities will be created, and the Upper Lars checkpoint will lose its significance, if it is not opened now.” An expert in Western Armenian studies says the expected reopening of the Upper Lars Georgia-Russia checkpoint is a by-product of Armenia-Turkey negotiations.
“The negotiations between Georgia and Russia have been activated soon after the protocols were inked, and especially signed later,” said Haykazun Alvrtsyan, director of the Western Armenians' Studies Center at a press conference today. “After all, when the Armenian-Turkish border is opened, quite different opportunities will be created, and the Upper Lars checkpoint will lose its significance, if it is not opened now.”
Last week Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili made a decision to repopen Upper Lars, in order to keep its transit status and importance and potential for the countries of the region. The Georgian president noted that thanks to the road, Georgia will get an opportunity of transit for its own loads to third countries through the territory of Russia.
The Russian Federation has gradually removed the embargo for Georgian agricultural, industrial, and food products.
“The closure of Upper Lars checkpoint had serious political significance. However, now its possible opening will also seriously touch upon the interests of other states of the region,” Alvrtsyan says. “It (Georgia) clearly realizes that in this case (of opened Armenia-Turkey borders) it will lose the monopoly of having the geopolitical communication factor.”
At the National Security Council meeting the Georgian president stated that negotiations over the checkpoint opening were held with the participation of Georgia and Russia in Yerevan. Previously Georgia’s deputy Foreign Minister had said Russia played no part in negotiations.