Russia-Georgia border to open to traffic for first time since 2006
Georgian soldiers hold national flags at a memorial cemetry in Tbilisi on August 8, 2012, as Georgians mark the anniversary of the Ossetian conflict.
Russia and Georgia have agreed to open their border to car traffic for the first time in about seven years, according to Russia's RIA Novosti.
The agreement was reportedly reached on Aug. 7 on the basis of easing travel between the two neighbors, whose relations have been strained since their 2008 war over the breakaway South Ossetia region.
Russian and Georgian leaders also decided to restart bus service between major Russian and Georgian cities, reported TradingCharts.
The border has not yet physically opened, said RIA Novosti, but Azerbaijan's Trend indicated demand was high — the two nations saw some 500 requests to transport goods between them in 2013.
Tblisi has also asked Moscow to resolve visa complications for Georgians traveling into Russia, according to RIA Novosti.
Georgia elected a new government in October that has vowed to improve relations with Russia.
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