Georgia Sets Condition for Restoring Ties with Russia

(MENAFN) Diplomatic engagement between Tbilisi and Moscow could be reestablished provided that Russia acknowledges Georgia’s sovereignty over its entire territory, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili stated on Tuesday.

Papuashvili explained that Georgia welcomes Russia’s declared readiness to renew official contacts, as reported by a broadcaster. He emphasized that Tbilisi has long outlined its prerequisites for such a process.

"We have already stated the conditions for restoring relations between Georgia and Russia. These relations can be restored if the territorial integrity of Georgia is recognized by the Russian Federation,” he stressed, noting that Moscow is “well aware” of these requirements. His remarks referred to Georgia’s separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Earlier the same day, Mikhail Kalugin, head of the Fourth Department of Commonwealth of Independent State Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, affirmed that Moscow is genuinely interested in improving relations with Georgia, according to a news agency.

"The main thing is that Georgia does not become a 'bargaining chip' in anti-Russian games," he said.

Kalugin also pointed out that Tbilisi has refrained from enforcing sanctions against Russia and has likewise "rejected the reckless scenario of opening a 'second front' against Russia.”

"Thanks to this, we have achieved considerable economic achievements over the past few years. We do not have diplomatic relations, but we have active ties that bring tangible benefits," he concluded.

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