Opening of Upper Lars checkpoint to pose no threat to Georgian citizensDecember 24, 2009 - 17:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |