Georgian PM’s advisor: Western partners believe Prague Dialogue with Russia contributed to signing of EU Association Agreement

Zurab Abashidze, the Advisor to the Georgian Prime Minister, on Wednesday said the assessment of the country’s Western partners of the so-called Prague Dialogue, the only format of direct Georgia-Russia dialogue, had contributed “to some extent” to Georgia signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union in 2014.
 

Abashidze said 26 meetings had been held within the format since 2012, adding its participants had “managed to reduce the tension” between Georgia and Russia during the period.
 

According to the assessment of our Western partners, the so-called Prague Dialogue format contributed to the signing of the Association Agreement in 2014”, Abashidze said.
 

The official said the situation along the occupation line separating Russian-occupied regions of Georgia from the rest of the country following the 2008 war between the two states had been “very difficult” at the time, and further pointed out “any small spark could have escalated into great violence”.
 

Therefore, when Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili [back in 2012] made the absolutely correct decision to try to lower this high temperature, in order to calm down the situation in the country, [and] start economic stabilisation, we decided to hold this informal dialogue”, Abashidze continued. 
 

He also highlighted a “big imbalance” in terms of trade with Russia, with Moscow introducing an embargo on Georgia in 2006, and noted the Georgian Government’s efforts to “correct this imbalance”.