FM Zalkaliani comments on the meeting with Lavrov

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that the recent meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov should not be considered as the change of existing format of negotiations with Russia. 

• Georgian, Russian Foreign Ministers hold first meeting since suspension of diplomatic ties in 2008

In an interview with Imedi TV, FM Zalkaliani said that he has received a promise from the Russian official that both the Geneva International Discussions as well as the Prague economic talks will continue, despite the Deputy FM Grigory Karasin’s resignation. 

• Ruling party, opposition assess meeting of Georgian, Russian FMs differently

He said that at the meeting he directly told Lavrov that “it is necessary  to make steps for de-escalation of the situation and de-occupation” of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). 

Without their political will it will be impossible to achieve the progress, because it is the power exercising effective control on those territories”, he said referring to Russia.

Zalkaliani also noted that he spoke with Lavrov of all the steps that Georgia has made as part of its peace policy and underscored that it is important that Russia should also make constructive counter steps. 

• Georgian President speaks on occupied Tskhinvali, Abkhazia at UN General Assembly

Foreign Minister Zalkaliani met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. 

The meeting, which is the first since Georgia suspended its diplomatic ties with Russia following the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, was "initiated and facilitated" by Switzerland.