Georgia denies knowledge of Russian-Armenian deal to reopen border

Kavkasia-Press news agency
6 Oct 04

TBILISI

“We have not received an official notification with regard to an
agreement allegedly reached between Russia and Armenia allowing the
passage through the Georgian-Russian border of cargo either belonging
to Armenia, or being transported from Armenia to Russia,” Nika
Laghidze, a senior aide at the prime minister’s office, told
Kavkasia-Press.

According to Armenian news agencies, the Armenian and Russian
presidents had agreed in a telephone conversation that Russia would
allow the passage of Armenian cargo through the Lars checkpoint on the
Georgian-Russian border, which is closed. Armenia is also reported to
have been negotiating with the Georgian authorities an unimpeded
passage for its cargoes.

“In any event, the Georgian government will not allow discrimination
against its citizens. As regards transit issues, they can only be
addressed through tripartite talks, especially as they involve the use
of Georgian territory,” Laghidze said, adding that Georgia is
“nobody’s backyard” and it would not allow others to agree behind its
back on transit through its territory. “However, I repeat that this
information about the Russian-Armenian agreement has not been
officially confirmed and should be double-checked,” Laghidze
said. [Passage omitted]