ARMENIAN EXPERT: NO WINDOW YET OBSERVED IN IMPROVEMENT OF RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS
ArmInfo
2010-03-09 20:48:00
ArmInfo. "I do not think that the opening of the Upper Lars check-point
is a window in improvement of political relations between Russia and
Georgia. Unfortunately, these relations are in such a state that in the
current political format I cannot imagine any abrupt improvement",-
said Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan at
today’s television bridge Yerevan-Tbilisi-Moscow.
He recalled that the Georgian official stance is that the relations
with Russia may improve only after the latter de-occupies the
territories, but it is difficult to imaging that Moscow will do this.
"So I consider improvement of political relations between Russia and
Georgia to be low probable today",- stressed Iskandaryan.
The opening of Upper Lars marks change in the format of the
Russian-Georgian conflict: the political component has been preserved
while the humanitarian, economic and other ones are being removed or
alleviated. There are few conflicts in the world where the conflicting
parties have turned into kind of preserve cans. The vivid examples are
Cyprus and Transdniestria, where the conflicting parties have preserved
humanitarian and economic ties despite continuing political quarrel.
This situation may end in restoration of direct flights between Moscow
and Tbilisi. Today, the situation in Russian-Georgian relations is
almost the same as it was when the check point was closed.
To remind, the Kazbegi-Upper Lars check point on the Russian-Georgian
border has been kept closed for three years. It was closed by Russia
for repair and re-equipment. The check point was reopened Mar 1 2010.
The relevant talks were mediated by Armenia.