23:20, 11 March 2010

Opening of "Verkhni Lars" is no indication of improved Russian-Georgian relations, Georgia's ambassador to Armenia says

As stated at a press conference on March 11 by Grigol Tabatadze, ambassador of Georgia to Armenia, by having reopened the border check point "Verkhni Lars", Georgia sacrificed a lot and did it, first of all, to preserve good neighbourhood relations with Armenia.

According to the ambassador, the opening of the check point cannot be considered as a step towards improvement of Russian-Georgian relations; and Georgia will just perform the "transit function, with no financial benefits."

"Unfortunately, the international practice lacks the term to characterize our relations. We can't treat them otherwise as brotherly. We have restarted the check point for the sake of our friends," Mr Tabatadze said.

The ambassador has assured that no weapon will ever pass through the check point "Verkhni Lars". "No cartridge will get across "Verkhni Lars" in the Russian-Georgian border. Georgia operates the Law "On Occupation", which categorically forbids any transit of Russian arms across the territory of the country," said the Georgian ambassador.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan

Source: CK correspondent