Georgia demonstrates desire to normalize relations with Russia: Garibashvili
By Jamila Babayeva
Georgia demonstrates the desire to normalize relations with Russia in both words and actions, said Georgian Prime Minister.
Irakli Garibashvili made the remarks in response to Russian foreign ministry Sergey Lavrov's statement on December 18.
Lavrov said Russia is not ready to abolish the visa regime with Georgia, but advocates the development of humanitarian ties.
"I heard Mr. Lavrov's statement. We will wait until they are ready, then we can talk. Georgia has changed its rhetoric against Russia. We've begun to actively restore cultural and economic relations, and used every opportunity to normalize our relations. I think we could do it, though the provocative actions that Russia uses on the occupation line and in border villages are regrettable and totally unacceptable," Garibashvili said.
In response to Lavrov's statement, State minister of Georgia for reintegration Paata Zakareishvili said Russia's unwillingness to abolish the visa regime for Georgian citizens was expected.
Georgia and Russia, its giant northern neighbor, 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.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said Tbilisi will not be aggressive against the Russian Federation and Georgia will act constructively and continue the process of establishing relations, but at the same time will follow the policy of non-recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.