Russia to Reopen Larsi Border Crossing Point ‘Soon’

Russia has notified Georgia that it will reopen the Zemo (Upper) Larsi border crossing point and resume direct land traffic between the two countries “soon,” Grigol Vashadze, the Georgian deputy foreign minister, said on April 1.

He said that in a letter the Russian side had said reconstruction of the checkpoint would be completed soon, but no exact date was given. Russia closed the checkpoint in 2006, citing the need to repair it. Tbilisi, however, claimed the move was politically motivated and part of Russia’s economic embargo on Georgia.

Zemo Larsi is the only legally operated border crossing point between Russia and Georgia. Two other border checkpoints are located in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but Tbilisi considers both of them to be illegal.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)