According to the Regnum news agency, about 100 Armenian citizens are
not able to return to Armenia. Two buses and one “Kamaz” brand name
automobiles have been held up in the Ergnet village near the
Georgian-Osian border. The same source affirms that there are 12
children under the age of six and two pregnant women. “Due to remaining
in a standing position for so long, one 18 year old boy’s feet have
swelled and he is not able to walk,” says the source. The Armenians
stuck on the road have asked for medical aid and Southern Osian doctors
have provided them with food and water. “This problem is the result of
the closing of the “Verin-Lars” border. Due to this, many are forced to
use another road-The Rock tunnel, which is a road from Russia to
Southern Osia. The reason for the pile up of cars in the other border
has to do with Georgia claiming that there are no technological
advances made in preventing smuggling. At the present, projects are
being implemented for the prevention of smuggling.
Some experts from Georgia claim that the main reason for the closing of
the “Verin-Lars” border implemented by Russia was to take control of
cargo coming from Armenia towards the Rocky Tunnel. This will have a
negative impact on the Georgian authorities’ plans on preventing
smuggling. Experts are convinced that all this leads to a break-up in
Armenia-Georgia relations.