Georgia’s joining Sochi Olympics important for region’s security: envoy
Georgia seeks to take constructive steps in its relations with Russia, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland told journalists on November 12.
Answering the question from a First Channel journalist as to whether the Georgian authorities are preparing to attend the opening and closing ceremonies, as is accepted in international practice, newly elected Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said:" We are considering this issue by our team."
"I believe that Margvelashvili declared the position of the Georgian nation in his interview on Russia's First Channel. Despite the fact that Russia has occupied 20 per cent of Georgia's territory, this country seeks to take constructive steps in its relations with Russia and I think that this is very important for the region's security," the ambassador said.
According to the ambassador, the issue of Georgia's participation at the Sochi games will be resolved later.
"When coming to the issue of Georgia's participation at the Sochi Olympics, the decision about this will be made later, nearer to holding the games. Georgia's feelings are clear. However, in terms of regional security interests, the country seeks to take constructive steps," Norland said.
Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.