Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Georgia is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Russia, but only if Moscow does not recognize the breakaway regions, Georgian Foreign Minister said on October 29.

Commenting on the recent statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said: "I really hope for a situation in which Georgia will restore diplomatic relations with Russia."

"I really want this to happen, but on the precondition of de-occupation and a refusal to recognize the occupied regions. If this happens, then, of course, Georgia is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Russia," she added.

Earlier, Lavrov congratulated Georgia on its elections and expressed hope that Tbilisi will restore diplomatic relations with Russia.

As for the agreement on non-resumption of war, Panjikidze said that Georgia has unilaterally committed itself not to open fire and now it is Russia's turn to make a similar commitment.

"This issue is being discussed in Geneva, and the next round of talks will be held in exactly one week," she said.

Georgia and its giant northern neighbor Russia have had no diplomatic relations since a brief war in 2008. Tbilisi broke off relations with Moscow in August 2008 when Moscow crushed a Georgian assault to reassert control over two rebel regions - South Ossetia and Abkhazia - and later recognized the regions.

Georgia announced the two unrecognized republics as occupied territories in September 2008.