Azernews.Az

TBILISI – Georgia remains ready for talks with Russia despite the discovery of an alleged Russian spy ring by Georgian authorities last week, Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri told The Irish Times during his visit to Ireland.

Moscow has accused Georgia of orchestrating a "blatant provocation" and "political farce" by announcing the arrests of 13 suspected agents ahead of a NATO summit in Lisbon later this month which will be attended by President Dmitry Medvedev, the publication reported.

Asked during a visit to Dublin if the espionage controversy had damaged prospects for dialogue, Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri replied: "That is more of a question for Russia to answer. We are still ready for talks. Of course we will not close our eyes to a spy network if we find one, and we have found one. The only way is through genuine talks."

Relations between Georgia and Russia have remained tense following a brief war between the two countries in August 2008.

Gilauri described as a "small but still positive signal" the withdrawal of Russian troops from Perevi, a village just outside South Ossetia, last month. "It is one step forward but the full success story will be the end of their occupation of Georgian territories," he said.

On charges of spying for Russia, the Georgian special services have arrested 15 people, two of whom entered into the procedural agreement.