OPENING OF UPPER LARS CHECK POINT WILL GIVE ARMENIA A BETTER GROUNDED RESPITE IN ITS RAPPROCHEMENT PROCESS WITH TURKEY

ArmInfo
2010-03-09 20:43:00

ArmInfo. The opening of the Upper Lars check point was motivated by
not only Russian-Georgian but also Russian-Armenian, Armenian-Turkish
and Georgian-Armenian relations, Russian political expert, the
head of the International Relations Department of the Institute
for Political and Military Analysis Sergey Markedonov said during a
Yerevan-Tbilisi-Moscow TV bridge today.

The closure of the check point in 2006 caused great anxiety in Armenia
as Yerevan lost many of its logistical ties with its strategic ally,
Moscow. 08.08.08 war has caused damage to Armenian-Russian relations,
which was a prerequisite for Armenian-Turkish rapprochement.

Presently, the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement is stalling and the
opening of the Upper Lars check point will give Armenia a better
grounded respite in this process.

Armenian-Georgian relations are not very simple. On the one hand,
Armenian and Georgia are neighbors and 3/4 of Armenian export goes
via Georgia, on the other, there is a complex ethno-political problem
in Javakheti, which though not Abkhazia or South Ossetia is still a
source of concern. Armenia’s mediation in the Upper Lars reopening
talks is a mutual signal for Tbilisi and Yerevan that some "hotheads"
in Javakheti will be given a certain message and that Georgia may
revise its policy in this region.

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.