Georgian PM: Armenia to Suffer with Russia’s Closure of Border
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on July 8 that Russia has unilaterally closed down border crossing point in Zemo Larsi without prior notification of the Georgian side.
“Georgia actually has not been exporting to Russia anything and Armenia will be the one which will suffer most from this decision,” PM Nogaideli told reporters in Batumi, where he is hosting his Armenian counterpart Andranik Margaryan.
He also said that the Armenian PM is already informed about the Russia’s decision.
The Russian side closed the Zemo Larsi border checkpoint, citing the necessity of carrying out repair works.
But Vasil Maglaperidze, the Governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, alleged that the decision is politically-motivated.
“Repair jobs cannot be a real reason for closing down the major highway,” he told reporters on July 8.
The Zemo Larsi is the only legally operating border checkpoint with Russia. Two others are located in breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
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