Russia – Georgia: the BORDER is half-open.

Georgian experts have different opinions about the advantage of the opening of “Upper Lars”. 

On the first day of spring, after almost four years, crossings for vehicles between Russia and Georgia recommenced – the check point “Upper Lars” on the North Ossetian section of the border began work. It was closed by Moscow in 2006 as part of measures (including an embargo on the import of agricultural production, wine and mineral water) which were introduced against Georgia after the arrest by Georgian special services of four Russian officers on spying charges. But this measure hit more Russian ally Armenia, which lost its only land link to Russia. 

After lengthy negotiations via the mediation of Switzerland and the EU during which Moscow tried to solve the complicated problem (of how to recommence the link with Armenia through Georgian territory and also keeping the restrictive measures against Georgia), Moscow, Tbilisi agreed to open the border. And the EU exerted a lot of pressure on Georgia to keep it from linking the border issue to the issue of the Russian embargo and free trade between Georgia and the EU

According to the final agreement, during the spring-summer period the border will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and during the autumn-winter period from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Crossing by foot is forbidden.

VC talked to former Georgian ambassador in Russia Zurab Abashidze, financial expert Georgy Khuhashvili and one of the leaders of the Georgian ruling party “United National Movement” David Darchiashvili about this important event in Russian-Georgian relations

Zurab Abashidze: From my point of view it is an act of elementary pragmatism. Here are mainly considering the interests of neighboring Armenia. But I doubt whether the opening of the checkpoint will become a stimulus for the renovation of large-scale dialogue with Russia. This is only one pragmatic step. The question is that the Russian leadership is repeating again and again the unintelligible for me formula: “We won’t deal with the official Georgian government and have a dialogue with it”. But if one side is categorically against dialogue then the other side cannot speak with itself. Dialog is a two-sided process! 

Georgy Huhashvili: It is absolutely immaterial for Georgia. Economically speaking Georgia receives practically nothing from the opening of the border. There is a small indirect profit from the traffic, but it is immaterial. So in this case only Russia and Armenia gain. It’s difficult for me to judge what Georgia was guided by when it agreed. What has happened is very like another capitulation. When only one side profits from a project and the other doesn’t get anything it is called capitulation, especially against the background of the relations which have formed between Russia and Georgia.

The Georgian government had to connect the border issue with the ending of the Russian embargo on Georgian production, but for some reason it wasn’t done. Now there are hints that the EU pressured Georgia. You know, I’m already tired of the fact that our authorities blame everything on everyone else, but never on their own lack of skill. Now it turns out that the EU is guilty.

David Darchiashvili: What’s this about “capitulation”? Capitulation is when Nogaideli [former prime minister of Georgia Zurab Nogaideli who obtained an agreement on bipartisanship with “United Russia”] and the opening of the border which Georgia has never closed (it was closed by the Russian side) which is very important for the neighboring friendly country – Armenia. It’s vital for it and we should take into account our neighbors. Including the humanitarian needs of ordinary people. We must clearly divide the humanitarian questions, the interests of the neighboring countries and our national interests. Including the questions of security on which the international community will continue to pressure Russia. 

Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for VC.