Russo-Georgian Border Reopened

Reports say that Russia reopened its border with Georgia at the Larsi checkpoint on October 22, after an almost two-month closure following the Beslan hostage-taking tragedy in Russia’s North Ossetian Republic in early September.
 
“Starting today the Larsi checkpoint will work at full capacity. The Georgian Foreign Ministry and the Border Guard Department have received relevant notes from Russia regarding the opening of the checkpoint,” Chairman of the Georgian Border Guard Department Badri Bitsadze said on October 22.
 
The Larsi checkpoint, which is the only land border with Georgia under Tbilisi’s control, was reopened only 4 times since September. Closure of the border hit the revenues of the Georgian customs department hard and also triggered concerns from Armenia, as the Larsi checkpoint is the only land link with Russia for Armenian citizens.

Russian media reported that Russia also lifted restrictions at the Russian-Azerbaijani border on October 22.