December 24, 2009 - 17:51 AMT
Opening of Upper Lars checkpoint to pose no threat to Georgian citizens
The opening of Upper Lars checkpoint will pose no threat to Georgian citizens, according to Georgia's Deputy Foreign Minsiter Nino Kalandadze.

Before making the decision, the issue was thoroughly considered with experts, he told journalists.

As regards possible threats by Russia he said if the Russia wishes to launch aggression, it can do so regardless of the checkpoint being open.

The Upper Lars checkpoint will very probably open in March 2010.

In a Swiss-mediated discussion held Wednesday, December 23, Russian and Georgian sides considered, among other things, the above issue and adopted a decision.

Within a fortnight, the decision will be incorporated into a Protocol specifying the exact date for opening the checkpoint, Gruzia-online reported.