The opening of the Upper Lars checkpoint is not connected anyhow with normalization of Georgian-Russian relations, Grigol Tabatadze , Georgian Ambassador to Armenia told a press conference in Yerevan.

According to him, the relations between Tbilisi and Moscow will not change until the issue of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is resolved. He stressed that Georgia does not have much economic benefit from the opening of the Upper Lars checkpoint and did it primarily for Armenia. However, according to the Georgian diplomat, the only benefit of Georgia is that the country will be able to transport their cargo through Russia. "I know that the Armenian goods are already passing via Upper Lars checkpoint," Tabatadze said.

Commenting on statements by the former Georgian state minister for conflict resolution, a leader of the United Opposition, Georgia Haindrava, that Russia opened the checkpoint in order "to supply weapon to its military base in Gyumri'' Tabatadze said: "Not a single bullet will pass through the checkpoint”

The opening of the checkpoint does not threaten Georgia’ national security. Before the opening the Georgian side has discussed the issue within the National Security Council and all possible scenarios have been evaluated, the Ambassador of Georgia in Armenia said.