Georgia and the Russian republic plan to open a customs department to allow customs clearance of products imported into the republic according to the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Chechen Federal Republic Ramzan Cherkhigov.

Under the leadership of the minister, a working meeting was held with representatives of the transport companies of the region on the issues of improving logistics in the territory of the Chechen Federal Republic and the reconstruction of the Georgian Military Highway.

“Previously, for this, it was necessary to use a point in the Mineralnye Vody, which created problems with the delivery of perishable products to the region,” he said. He recalled that at the meeting of the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev, which took place earlier in Grozny, the issue of opening the Georgian Military Highway and creating a checkpoint across the state border was discussed. “Russian President Vladimir Putin approved this initiative and gave instructions to the relevant ministries. There is a lot of work going on in this direction,” Cherkhigov said. According to him, the opening of the road to Georgia will give a powerful impetus to the development of the economy of both the region and the whole of Russia. “The existing road in North Ossetia - Alania today cannot cope with the existing traffic. As we know, many air and water transport links are closed under the sanctions. Now in Russia they are switching to ground transportation. Accordingly, under these conditions, the issue of opening the Georgian Military Highway and building a new one is even more acute,” the minister stated.

The Chechen Federal Republic already has a high-quality road leading to the border with Georgia, the minister recalled, only a small section totalling 4 km needs repair. Today, infrastructure facilities are being created here - gas stations, stopping stations, fast food points. However, the final decision on the opening of the new road will depend on the agreement between the leadership of Russia and Georgia, it was noted during the meeting. The Georgian military road has a low capacity due to the difficulties associated with the climatic natural features of the route.