Georgian PM: "Armenia to suffer with Russia’s closure of border"

Civil Georgia, Georgia
July 9 2006

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on July 8 that Russia
has unilaterally closed down border crossing point in Zemo Larsi
without prior notification of the Georgian side.

"Georgia actually has not been exporting to Russia anything and
Armenia will be the one which will suffer most from this decision,"
PM Nogaideli told reporters in Batumi, where he is hosting his Armenian
counterpart Andranik Margaryan.

He also said that the Armenian PM is already informed about the
Russia’s decision.

The Russian side closed the Zemo Larsi border checkpoint, citing the
necessity of carrying out repair works.

But Vasil Maglaperidze, the Governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region,
alleged that the decision is politically-motivated.

"Repair jobs cannot be a real reason for closing down the major
highway," he told reporters on July 8.

The Zemo Larsi is the only legally operating border checkpoint with
Russia. Two others are located in breakaway regions of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress