Russia hurts Armenia after closing Georgia checkpoint – MP
13:29 | 10/ 07/ 2006

RIA Novosti, Russia
July 10 2006

YEREVAN, July 10 (RIA Novosti) – A deputy chairman of Armenia’s
parliament said Monday that Russia had hit Armenian interests after
it closed a checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border for construction
work.

Russia closed the Kazbegi-Verkhny Lars border checkpoint early Saturday
morning for an indefinite period, which has created problems for
people traveling between Georgia and Armenia.

Vaan Ovannisyan said the border had been closed because of difficult
relations between Russia and Georgia.

"They [relations] have been worsening rather than improving recently,"
he said. "Our Russian colleagues must understand that each step against
Georgia also hurts Armenia’s interests. Therefore, they should be
more flexible and careful."