YEREVAN SHOULD NOT EXACERBATE ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
26.06.2009 15:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In view of the current complicated processes in
the region, it is very dangerous to exacerbate Armenian-Georgian
relations by raising the issue Samtskhe-Javakheti, Stepan Grigoryan,
Head of Globalization and Regional Cooperation Analytical centre told
a press conference in Yerevan. "Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili
came to Armenian to resolve issues which were important for him. The
Armenian side proposed its questions, i.e. communication problems,
particularly, the issue of "Upper Lars" checkpoint and tariffs for
Armenian freight," Armenian expert stressed.

Georgia has now proposed the idea of "Caucasian House" and wants
to see the region independent of third forces’ intervention. "It’s
still difficult to say what will be the benefit Saakashvili’s visit
but we can’t deny the existence of Samtskhe Javakheti problem in
Armenian-Georgian relations. That’s a problem that needs to be
resolved through dialogue, negotiations and mutual understanding,"
Grigoryan said. Following the war in August 2008, Georgia’s political
elite is in a hard psychological condition, the expert noted, adding
that there is currently no need to exacerbate the situation by making
tough statements.

As regards the situation with "Upper Lars" checkpoint, Grigoryan
said that its opening is out of the question at present as Moscow
and Tbilisi are unlikely to reach agreement over the issue in the
nearest future.