Georgian President welcomes reopening of Larsi check point with Russia

Georgian president welcomes the re-opening of the Kazbegi-Upper Larsi border exit-point and believes that with this decision the Russian Federation indirectly confessed that the economic embargo imposed against Georgia since 2005 was a political defeat, spokesperson for Georgian President Manana Manjgaladze announced at the briefing today.

Manjgaladze read the statement of the president today.

"The opening of the Larsi exit point means that Russia has opened border. This is very important for us because we will be having at least one legitimate border with Russia, which will make legal transportation and other legal procedures possible. The reopening of the exit-point confirms that the Russian Federation indirectly confessed that the economic embargo imposed against Georgia since 2005 was a political defeat," Manjgaladze said.

As for the security of the bordering region, the president believes that the closed border is much more dangerous, and then the opened legitimate exit-point.

"The government will have opportunity to control the border exit-point with legal tools," Manjgaladze said.

She also defined the reopening of the Larsi exit-point did not mean that the relations with Russia were improved, because the negotiations were not held between the Georgia-Russia authorities directly, but with the mediation of Swiss embassy.

"Georgian government will think about resumption of ties with the Kremlin and improvement of relations only after Russia recognizes and respects Georgias territorial integrity and sovereignty," Manjgaladze said.


/Georgian Times/