Switzerland has represented Russia's diplomatic interests in Georgia since August 2008 About this issue, speaking at a December 9 media forum, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that he is open to the idea of restoring flights between Moscow and Tbilisi, frozen for over three years despite intermittent attempts at restoration.

In press briefing Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze told that The Upper Lars checkpoint at the Georgian-Russian border is expected to be re-opened next March. She said that the decision was made at the Russian-Georgian expert negotiations through Swiss mediation. “Only verbal arrangements have yet been made, but the experts will meet during next fortnight, and a final agreement will be reached,” Kalandadze said.

The Upper Lars closed in 2006. The Upper Lars checkpoint will be open not only for transit cargoes from Armenia, but also for the transportation of Georgian cargoes and for Georgian citizens to cross the Georgian-Russian border. In addition, Air flights may resume between Moscow and Tbilisi over Christmas in a tentative sign that the 2008 war foes are limping toward some form of cautious rapprochement.

Georgian Airways, a private carrier, requested Russian transportation officials to allow it to operate charter flights from December 26, 2009 through January 15, 2010, said Georgian Airways spokesperson Nino Giorgobiani.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/ ; http://www.armradio.am/; http://www.eurasianet.org/