Russia and Georgia have reopened a border crossing that has been closed since July 2006. The Verkhny Lars crossing - situated on a narrow mountain pass high in the Caucasus Mountains - was closed by Russia amid deteriorating relations. It is the only crossing that does not go through the Russian-backed breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgian forces were driven out of the two regions in a bitter war with Russia in August 2008. The agreement to open the crossing came after a request from landlocked Armenia.
The crossing was once an important point on a vital trade route. Its opening brings Georgia and Russia physically closer but not politically. Diplomatic relations between the two have not been restored since the war.
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