Georgia welcomes the statement by Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin on opening of “Upper Lars” checkpoint, meanwhile being skeptical. Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nino Kalandadze stated at the briefing: “If Karasin is serious about positive attitude in opening of Upper Lars checkpoint, Georgian side welcomes it and esteems positively”.

According to her, Armenia and Georgia agreed on the matter and now it is Russia’s turn, Georgia Online reads.

Upper Lars checkpoint opening was discussed by Georgian MPs at the Nov. 21 sitting.
As Georgian Parliament Speaker David Barkadze said, the checkpoint will open for a number of reasons, including for betterment of the border habitants’ economic state.

The Upper Lars checkpoint possible opening was discussed on November 13 sitting of the Georgian National Security Council with participation of Mikheil Saakashvili, cabinet officers as well as oppositional parties’ representatives. NSC Secretary Eka Tkeshelashvili informed after the sitting, that in case if the talks on border opening succeed, it will happen.

Georgia-Russia talks on checkpoint opening are held through negotiators — Switzerland and Armenia and this process according to some politicians will be presumably settled till this year end.