Azernews.Az

Russia has shut its borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan for the citizens of all foreign countries except the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) members.
The special regulations, enacted by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin since Tuesday, aim "to pre-empt the infiltration of foreign terrorists, arms and means of subversion to Russia", Russian media reports quoted government sources as saying.
Moscow said the shutdown was temporary but did not specify how long the restrictions would be in effect.
Nonetheless, trains coming from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will be entering Russian territory, but the three countries` citizens will not be allowed to cross the border.
The restrictions have caused no problems with travel from Azerbaijan to the neighboring country, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim said Baku had clarified the matter after receiving information about the Russian government`s decision and it was revealed that no changes have occurred at border checkpoints.
"Entry and exit continues under the same regime on the Azerbaijani-Russian border, and no restrictions have been imposed on expatriates` crossing the border so far," he said.
The measure comes after five days of fighting between Russian and Georgian troops. Russia sent troops to Georgia`s unrecognized republic of South Ossetia on August 8 and pounded Georgian positions after Tbilisi launched an offensive to retake the self-proclaimed, pro-Russian region. The hostilities were brought to a halt after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered to end Russia`s military action in Georgia.