Abashidze stresses importance of informal Georgian-Russian dialogue
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Special representative of Georgia’s Prime Minister for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze believes Georgian-Russian informal dialogue is the only communication channel with Russia and it should continue.
Abashidze said this was the way to discuss practical issues such as trade and economic relations, humanitarian and cultural issues with Russian representatives.
"Every country has communication with Russia, including Ukraine which has not cut diplomatic relations despite having such a difficult situation,” Abashidze said at his special press conference yesterday.
"So, at this point we are looking at this format - this is the communication channel with Russia. We will take all the steps in accordance to the interests of the state.”
In 2012, Georgia’s then-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili introduced the new post of Special Representative for Relations with Russia, and appointed Abashidze, Georgia’s former Ambassador to Moscow to this role. Since then, Abashidze has continued to negotiate on behalf of the country concerning Georgia-Russia issues with Russia’s deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin.
After Abashidze and Karasin could not deal on Russia-Abkhazia new treaty at Prague meeting on October 16, some Georgian officials said the Abashidze-Karasin format had exhausted itself and was no longer needed.
A Kremlin proposed new treaty on ‘Alliance and Integration’ between Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia and Russia will not be reconsidered,Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister GrigoryKarasinsaid after bilateral talks led by Georgian PM’s special envoy for relations with Russiain Prague today.
Forging and strengthening international contacts is the best force against the so-called ‘Alliance and Strategic Partnership’ treaty signed between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia, says the Georgian Prime Minister’s special representative for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze.
A Russian high official believes the process to normalise relations between Georgia and Russia is continuing as normal, despite Georgia and much of the international community condemning Russia’s deal with Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would be happy to host a Georgian Government delegation if they visited his nation.
Exports and shipping will increase to Russia, says diplomats
Georgia’s Special Representative to Russia Zurab Abashidze met with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in Prague, Czech Republic yesterday.
Today Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement that said from tomorrow, December 23, all Georgian citizens can enjoy simplified visa procedures with Russia.
Russia believes the "unfriendly statements” voiced by Georgian officials about Russia contradict the efforts to restore constructive relations between the two neighbouring nations.