Azeri-Press news agency (APA)
 Thursday


Russia-Georgia deal may soon enter into force to benefit Armenia



Moscow pins high hopes about the agreement on customs administration
and trade monitoring signed between Russia and Georgia in 2011,
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said in an interview
to 'Kommersant, APA reports.

'We hope that this agreement will give a strong impetus to trade in
the region,' he said.

Commenting on the difficulties in the international trade between the
two countries after the war in 2008, the diplomat recalled that there
was uncertainty about where Georgia's customs borders had been crossed
as the country does not recognize the two new states (Abkhazia and
South Ossetia) created in its former territories.

'The agreement signed in 2011 shed light on this issue in particular.
We will soon try to finish domestic procedures so that we can sign
important documents in the coming months. That's when the agreement
will begin to work,' he added.

Asked if Armenia is going to be the main beneficiary of this agreement
and if Moscow is willing to do so at Armenia's request, Karasin gave
the following answer: "There is indeed a request from Armenia.
However, we're talking about a bilateral agreement signed between
Russia and Georgia through Swiss mediation. This agreement does not
impose obligations on third countries, including Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.'

The Georgian government earlier signed a contract with the Swiss
company SGS to transport cargoes to Russia through its territory, and,
if needed, through the uncontrolled Zhinvali region. Prime Minister
Giorgi Kvirikashvili said that in case of an emergency at the
Kazbegi-Yukhari Lars customs checkpoint, the cargo would be
transported via the specified route.

"No item of this contract has been directed against Georgia's
interests. The issue is, if a force majeure-such as heavy snow or
landslide-occurs at the Yukhari Lars customs checkpoint, the route in
the direction of Zhinvali can be used. This corridor can be used by
other countries, by Turkey and Armenia, as well as other countries
benefiting from our country's transit potential. However, this is
still a unilateral signing. We continue negotiating, because there are
some conditions put forward by Russia that are unacceptable to us,"
Kvirikashvili said in his speech at the Georgian parliament.