Armenia has no strategic approach to solving any task, starting from the economic policy and ending with domestic problems. The same refers to transportation , which should function smoothly, said the former mayor of Yerevan , ANC member , economist Vahagn Khachatryan in an interview with Armenian News - NEWS.am.

When asked how he would suggest to solve the issue Armenia faces each time when the checkpoint Lars closes, the economist said: "A few years ago there were discussions about establishing a permanent ferry terminal through Poti or Novorossiysk. Andranik Manukyan was the Minister of Transportation. Business communities and organizations making shipping operations were suggested to be participants of that process. There were many interesting suggestions. Unfortunately, those discussions have remained only as discussions. The issue with Lars at that time was solved, and everything got less importance. Now, in two weeks the road will open, and again everything else will be of less importance.”

According to him, due to climatic conditions the issue of the road through the Upper Lars will always be relevant. "Because the problem is not completely solved, we are always going to find ourselves in such deadlocks.  All these stands for the point that our economy is not ready to face such emergencies. Unfortunately, in these circumstances, we can not ensure durability of our economy. Since we have  no alternatives to Lars, we will always be facing this issue, " said Khachatryan.

To the question if there are data about the losses we are facing due to the closed road, the economist said that the rough estimate of the loss per carriage of a car makes about $ 1,000 .

As for the talks about opening the Abkhazian road, every time Upper Lars checkpoint closes, Khachatryan said that it is a bluff: " It is not realistic to open that road, because it pursues a political objective. And what   is important here is whether Georgia is interested in functioning of the Abkhaz railway.”

From an economic point of view, it is not profitable for Georgians. The Upper Lars is more profitable for them. Even if it closes , they can deliver the goods to Russia through their own ports. " He added that the same approach applies to the implementation of Armenia-Iran railway construction project, which in the near future will not be realized .