Georgian MFA Comments on Border Checkpoint Closure

The Georgian Foreign Ministry said on July 12 that Russia?s decision to close down Zemo Larsi border crossing point with Georgia is an attempt to legalize smuggling of arms and cargo through Roki Tunnel in breakaway South Ossetia.

Russian Foreign Ministry said on July 11 that decision to close down Zemo Larsi border crossing point was triggered with the necessity to equip and modernize the customs checkpoint in order to prevent smuggling and infiltration of mercenaries into the Russia?s territory. The Russian side also called on Georgia not to prevent use of other border crossing points, in particular Roki Tunnel which is out of the Tbilisi control.

?The Georgian side has agreed to let citizens enter into Georgia via South Ossetia only because of the humanitarian reasons and this measure will last only before July 14. This is a provisional measure and no one should have an illusions that illegally operating Roki-Kvemo Zaramagi border crossing point will be legalized,? the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in its information note.

The Georgian side has also complained that despite its numerous requests, the Russian side has not yet informed Tbilisi when the Zemo Larsi border checkpoint will be reopened.

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