It's not fair to say that the current situation at the Upper Lars border crossing point has a strong impact on the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia, Russian trade representative to Armenia Anna Donchenko stated today.

She added that this problem has always been there. "We know about it, and it is not related to the geopolitical context, as they try to present, but to the geographical features of the pass itself. There is a very narrow track, the weather conditions are influencing it, the traffic is increasing and will still increase. It would be nice if there was a ferry "Caucasus" through Georgia, but it is not so far, we are trying to change the situation as much as possible," Donchenko said. The trade representative clarified that she doesn't know the current stage of solution.

Armenian cargo carriers have been complaining of unprecedented delays at Upper Lars checkpoint for a month, claiming that they let in fewer vehicles per day than before.

Armenian authorities promised several months ago to launch ferry transportation between Russia and Armenia. However, the project did not work because of international sanctions against Russia.