Upper Lars checkpoint opening will hardly affect Georgia-Russia relations, as “they ran too far,” the Director of Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan told at the Yerevan-Moscow-Tbilisi “Upper Lars checkpoint opening in the context of Russia-Georgia relations” linkup.

He also noted that political conflict between the states will continue in the background of economic and humanitarian components’ ease. Iskandaryan also forecasted resumption of regular air service between the countries, adding that visa issues for Georgian citizens are unlikely to be settled in the near future. Expert underlined that checkpoint opening is beneficial for Georgia as well.

In his turn, expert Alexander Markarov declared that checkpoint reopening is of major economic significance for Armenia, as one third of all cargoes from the republic traffics through this route. “Opening of checkpoint will enable to cut transit costs for Armenian cargoes,” he emphasized. According to him, from political viewpoint Armenia acquired new status acting as a mediator between Georgia and Russia.