Armenia thinks over an alternative road to Upper Lars
ArmInfo. Armenia starts thinking about an alternative road to Upper Lars. In the light of the Armenian-Russian talks in Moscow and the restrictions of the
Stepantsminda-Lars road capacity, at today's sitting of the Government, Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan instructed Armenian Minister of Transport, Communication and IT Vahan Martirosyan to hold discussions with Russia and Georgia and to submit proposals on transportation via alternative routes to the Armenian Government by 1 March 2017.
Vahan Martirosyan told reporters that various options (particularly,
via South Ossetia and Abkhazia) are being considered as an
alternative to the current Georgian Military Road. "We are also
discussing possible construction of a railway, however, at the moment
we can say nothing specific," Martirosyan said.
To recall, during the press conference on December 19, Vahan
Martirosyan said one should not consider the South Ossetian option as
an alternative due to "political obstacles". It is noteworthy that
the Armenian side has decided to return to this topic right after the
Armenian governmental delegation's visit to Moscow. The minister did
not say whether Yerevan has enlisted Moscow's support in this matter.
When asked whether the "political obstacles" are removed and whether
Moscow and Tbilisi have reached an agreement in this matter,
Martirosyan replied, "Armenia is trying to accelerate these
discussions".
Chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia
Arsen Ghazaryan thinks that the prospect of opening of alternative
routes to Russia via South Ossetia and Abkhazia is quire realistic.
"The commodity turnover among the EEU countries is growing and the
problems with the Upper Lars capacity are also growing not only due
to climatic conditions, but also technical capacities of the
checkpoint," Ghazaryan said.
It is noteworthy that the Upper Lars checkpoint on the border between
Russia and Georgia has become the only land transport road linking
Armenia with Russia. The checkpoint often closes because of snow in
winter and mudflow in spring, although the Georgian side has carried
out huge work for modernization of the road and ensuring traffic
safety. Former Minister of Transport and Communications of Armenia
Gagik Beglaryan stated in summer that it is possible to open the road
through South Ossetia. "The road is in good condition, negotiations
are being held both with Tbilisi and Moscow, however very little
depends on Armenia in this issue".