700 trucks are gathered at Upper Lars checkpoint, Armenian Minister of Transport suggests waiting till weather improves

ArmInfo. 700 trucks are  gathered at the Upper Lars border checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian  border, 400 of which are coming to Armenia or going from Armenia,  Minister of Transport of Armenia Vahan Martirosyan told journalists  after the regular session of the government, during which Prime  Minister Karen Karapetyan instructed to closely follow and control  the situation. 

According to the Minister he has visited border checkpoint and talked  to drivers. "Georgian partners exert all the efforts to clean the  road from snow as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we can do nothing  with the weather. There has not been such a heavy snowfall for a long  time. Let's wait till the weather improves", Martirosyan noted.  According to him the situation on the checkpoint is complex, many are  discontented, and others are satisfied with state officials' work.  Most of the transport companies have their representatives on the  checkpoint, who try to ease the situation of the people there. 

Answering to ArmInfo's correspondent's question related to the  results of the negotiations started in the end of June between  Ministry of Transport and Georgian counterparts aimed at opening  alternative road to Russia through South Ossetia Martirosyan assured  that negotiation process is continuing, it is promising but not  final. 

Noteworthy, Upper Lars checkpoint on the border between Russia and  Georgia has become the only land transport road connecting Armenia  with Russia. The checkpoint often closes because of snow in winter  and mudflow in spring, although the Georgian side has carried out a  huge work for modernization of the road and ensuring safety of  traffic. 

Former Minister of Transport and Communications Gagik Beglaryan was  stating in summer that it is possible to open the road through South  Ossetia. "The road is in good condition, negotiations are being held  both with Tbilisi and Moscow, however very little depends on Armenia  in this issue".