Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

European Parliament President Martin Schultz has expressed support for the course of a rapprochement and attempts to build constructive relations between Georgia and Russia.

"I welcome the commitment of the Georgian government to get closer to the EU as much as possible, and on the other hand, to improve relations with Russia," Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Schultz as saying in a meeting with the new Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili in Brussels. "This is certainly an important step in a constructive direction."

On the eve of a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels, Ivanishvili said the Georgian government will make all necessary efforts to improve the historical relationship with Russia.

Ivanishvili also informed Schultz of the appointment of Zurab Abashidze as special representative for negotiations with Moscow, and Schulz welcomed the decision.

Meanwhile, Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said that Georgia might seek international assistance in improving its ties with Russia.

"We do not rule out that the international community might be involved in efforts to step up contacts with Russia. The role of a mediator is always very important when ties are strained," she told Russia's Kommersant daily.

After the October 1 parliamentary election, which was won by Ivanishvili's opposition coalition, and was followed by the formation of a new cabinet, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow expects the new government to make "practical steps" for building neighborly relations with Russia.

"Practical steps, so often mentioned by Moscow, are an issue to be discussed during further consultations. Our message is specific, and we hope to get the response, which is more specific than what we currently hear," Panjikidze said.

Among such steps by Georgia Panjikidze mentioned favorable conditions for Russian businesses in Georgia and unilateral cancellation of visas for Russians.

"A lot of things can be done even after diplomatic ties were severed," she said.

Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia were established on July 1, 1992 after gaining independence from the former Soviet Union. Tensions between the two neighbors rose in August 2008 when Moscow crushed a Georgian assault to reassert control over the rebel Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions and later recognized the breakaway regions. In response, Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow and announced the two unrecognized republics as occupied territories in September 2008.

Georgia and the vast majority of other countries do not recognize Abkhazian and South Ossetian independence and officially consider them as sovereign territory of the Georgian state.

During Ivanishvili's talks in Brussels, the European Union also expressed support for Georgia in implementing reforms. European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule confirmed the EU's intention to continue assisting financial and technical reforms in Georgia.

During his meeting with Ivanishvili, Fule also said the EU will continue to support the territorial integrity of Georgia and welcomes the country's intentions to further pursue European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

According to Fule, the EU relies on an extensive program of talks and reforms that will lead to the political association and economic integration of Georgia with the EU.

The EU commissioner said "we can expect a speedy conclusion" of negotiations on the Association Agreement, including a comprehensive free trade zone.

"The liberalization of the visa policy between the EU and Georgia can be carried out in the near future," he added.