Russia, Georgia to reopen border crossing

MOSCOW, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Russia and Georgia, which resorted to combat last year, have agreed to reopen a major border crossing closed since 2006, officials said Thursday.

Swiss diplomats helped the two countries reach the agreement to reopen the Upper Lars checkpoint in the Caucasus mountains, The New York Times reported. Officials said it is the only legal highway crossing between Russia and territory controlled by Georgia.

The Upper Lars crossing links the Georgian capital of Tblisi with Vladikavkaz, Russia. The road is the only direct route from Russia to Armenia to the south of Georgia.

The checkpoint was closed three years ago as relations between Russia and Georgia turned frosty after Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili moved to align his country more closely with the United States.

The two countries have not had diplomatic relations since fighting broke out between them over Georgia's attempt to rein in the runaway republic of South Ossetia.