Russian Minister Urges Armenia to Trade with Russia via Iran

Russian Minister of Transport and Communication Igor Levitin advised the Armenian government to trade with Russia via the Astrakhan-Enzeli (Iran) sea route. Levitin was responding to the dissatisfaction expressed by the Armenian government over the closure of the Larsi checkpoint on Russo-Georgian border, which hampers trade between Russia and Armenia.

According to the Russian Minister it will take ?30-40 days to finish special operations at the Russian-Georgian Verkhniy Lars check post.? According to Armenia’s Mediamax news agency Igor Levitin said that ?these operations are aimed at creating conditions which will make penetration by persons and cars engaged in terrorist activity into the territory of the Russian Federation impossible.?

As an alternative, Levitin suggested the opening of the railway communication through Abkhazia. He said Armenia and Russia are ready for this, while the Georgian position is unjustifiably “politicized.” ?If such a readiness [to open railway communication] is expressed by the Georgian President as well, the issue will be solved sooner,? Levitin said.