Upper Lars checkpoint may be re-opened next March

The Upper Lars checkpoint at the Georgian-Russian border is expected to be re-opened next March, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze told a press briefing, Georgian media say.

She said that the decision was made at the Swiss-backed Russian-Georgian expert negotiations.

“Only verbal arrangements have yet been made, but the experts will meet during the upcoming fortnight, and a final agreement will be reached,” Deputy FM said.

The Upper Lars checkpoint will be open not only for transit cargoes from Armenia to Russia and vice versa, but also for the transportation of Georgian cargoes to Russia. “We welcome the negotiations and the agreements reached and expect them to be finalized,” Kalandaze said.