GEORGIA DENIES TALKS WITH RUSSIA OVER REOPENING BORDER

Civil Georgia
Nov 2 2009
Georgia

Georgian Foreign Ministry denied that it was negotiating with Russia
on reopening of Zemo Larsi border crossing point between the two
countries, which was closed down by Moscow in 2006.

Russia’s federal agency in charge of border infrastructure reported
on October 30 that during "working meeting" in the Armenian capital
of Yerevan between Georgian and Russian officials the two sides
"reaffirmed in principle having interest in prompt resumption of
traffic" through Zemo Larsi-Kazbegi border crossing point.

Nino Kalandadze, the Georgian deputy foreign minister, said that the
Georgian Foreign Ministry officials were in Yerevan last week and
held talks on the matter with the Armenian counterparts, but not
with the Russian officials. She said that the issue was discussed
with Armenia as resumption of land traffic between Georgia and Russia
"is of vital importance" for Yerevan.

Russia’s federal agency in charge of the border infrastructure also
said in its press release on October 30 that the Russian delegation at
the meeting was led by deputy head of the agency, Yuri Maltsev, and
the Georgian side was represented by head of the Foreign Ministry’s
European department, Kakha Chitadze.

It also said that the two sides exchanged information about the border
crossing point’s condition and "noted that from the technical point
of view it was ready for reopening." "Results of the working meeting
of experts will be passed on to the Russian and Georgian leadership
for taking final decision," the Russia’s federal agency said.

Land traffic between the two countries was closed with the closure of
Zemo Larsi border crossing point by Russia in July, 2006; two others
are located in breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but they are
considered by Georgia to be operating illegally and entry into Abkhazia
and South Ossetia from those points is banned by the Georgian laws.