Georgia, Tbilisi, March 02 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili welcomes the opening of the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Georgia-Russia border and believes that Russia thus indirectly acknowledged its mistake announcing embargo against Georgia in 2005, Manana Manjgaladze, spokesperson for the Georgian President, said in the briefing in Avlabar residence today.
"Opening the checkpoint means that Russia opens its borders, and points to the fact that Georgia will have a legitimate place on the border with Russia. It is an admission of defeat of the declared embargo," she said, recalling the words of the president.
As for security in the region, Saakashvili believes that the closed border poses greater threat from armed men than the opening of the legitimate boundaries. The state has all legal means to protect its borders, Manjgaladze said.
Manjgaladze also referred to Russia's claims on Kazbegi region of Georgia. "The Georgian president believes that these claims are more likely psychological pressure rather reality. The Kremlin has claims not only on this region but on Georgia and Tbilisi in whole, as it does not recognize the territorial integrity of Georgia and tries to legalize consequences of the genocide of Georgian population," Manjgaladze said.
Manjgaladze again emphasized the invariability of Saakashvili's position, who said that relations with Moscow can be established only after Russia's recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity.
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