GEORGIA READY TO NEGOTIATE OVER OPENING CHECKPOINT "UPPER LARS" – SAAKASHVILI
ARKA
June 25, 2009
YEREVAN, June 25. /ARKA/. Georgia ready to negotiate with Russia over
opening the checkpoint of "Upper Lars", said President of Georgia
Mikheil Saakashvili at a joint press-conference with his Armenian
counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan on Wednesday.
Saakashvili said they are ready to negotiate with Russia over opening
the checkpoint of "Upper Lars". He noted the Georgian side has already
started reconstruction works of the road and they are ready to open
the border and permit cargo and passenger traffic as soon as Russia
opens its part of the border.
At the same time Saakashvili reminded that the checkpoint has been
closed since September 2004 and it put obstacles in Georgia’s transport
system and in shipment of Armenian cargos to markets for realization.
Saakashvili stated their aim is to recommence shipments and carry
out free and unimpeded cargo transportation.
President of Georgia noted two flights operate between Yerevan and
Tbilisi now and a Yerevan-Batumi flight will open soon. Saakashvili
stressed both sides should undertake measures to contribute to cut
in air tickets.
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in his turn expressed satisfaction
that his Georgian counterpart, during his interview to the Public
Television of Armenia, as well as during bilateral negotiations said
Georgia will20not create problems and will also facilitate transit
transportation of Armenian goods to Russia.
"We welcome this position and are thankful for that. It is very
important for us, especially now when we are in anticipation of
harvest realization. I am sure we have to undertake more steps in that
direction and we will undertake them soon," he stressed and added he
will inform Saakashvili about the results.
The official ceremony for completing the construction of the
international automobile checkpoint "Upper Lars" – the only
international automobile checkpoint in the border between Russia and
Georgia closed for reconstruction in July 2006 – took place this May
5. However the checkpoint does not operate due to lack of diplomatic
relations between Russia and Georgia.