Russia’s Border Policy Diverts Regional Trade Via South Ossetia

According to reports by the Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Russia’s decision to close the Larsi border checkpoint with Georgia diverts the regional trade via South Ossetia.

Russia officially closed the border with Georgia after the Beslan tragedy in North Ossetia, and it has remained closed for the last 20 days. Eyewitnesses say buses and cars not only from Georgia, but from from Armenia and Azerbaijan as well, are stuck at the border.

RFE/RL correspondents reported that traffic of Azeri and Armenian goods via secessionist South Ossetia has increased significantly. Despite its announcement to close its border with Georgia, the South Ossetian section of the Russo-Georgian border (Roki pass) remains open.

According to the head of Georgia’s Customs Northern Department, Kakha Mikeladze, loses of customs revenues from the Larsi checkpoint during these last 20 days were between 3 and 4 million Lari.