An expert in Western Armenian studies says the expected reopening of the Upper Lars Georgia-Russia checkpoint is a by-product of Armenia-Turkey negotiations.

“The negotiations between Georgia and Russia have been activated soon after the protocols were inked, and especially signed later,” said Haykazun Alvrtsyan, director of the Western Armenians' Studies Center at a press conference today. “After all, when the Armenian-Turkish border is opened, quite different opportunities will be created, and the Upper Lars checkpoint will lose its significance, if it is not opened now.”