Alexander Markarov says opening of the “Upper Lars” border checkpoint to have positive impact on Armenia’s economy

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS: The opening of the “Upper Lars” border checkpoint must not be viewed only within the framework of the Russian-Georgian relations: the role of Armenia is quite big here, director of the Armenian branch of the CIS countries institute Alexander Makarov said today at the Yerevan-Moscow-Tbilisi space bridge, expressing assurance that the opening of the border checkpoint will have a positive impact on the economy of Armenia.

Former Georgian state minister on conflict affairs, one of the leaders of the United opposition Goga Khaindrava said that for Georgian citizens getting the RF entrance permission is very difficult today and de facto the Georgian citizens will not pass the border. The same relates to the Georgian cargo transportations. “Russia’s market continues to be closed for Georgia. Thus, Georgia will not economically win from the opening of the border checkpoint,” Khaindrava said, adding that actually the road is open for Armenia only.

Director of the Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan said that the opening of the check point is not a window to normalization of political relations between Russia and Georgia. “I cannot imagine in the current format a sharp improvement of Russian-Georgian relations. I would call it “reformation” of conflict”. That is to say, the political conflict between Russia and Georgia continues, but the economic and social elements are outside of it,” A. Iskandaryan noted.