Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Georgian Parliament speaker, David Usupashvili, said relations with Russia have not worsened significantly in 2013, but also added that the two countries' bilateral ties have not improved significantly either.

"A slight progress related to restoring trade ties [with Russia] is a step in right direction, but it's not enough," the parliament speaker said on December 30, adding that installing of fences and other barriers across the administrative boundary lines of the breakaway regions by the Russian troops was a negative development.

Tbilisi broke off relations with Moscow in August 2008 when Russia 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.

Georgia's President Giorgi Margvelashvili recently said Georgia will continue its policy of normalizing relations with Russia.

Commenting on the tragedy in Volgograd, Usupashvili said Georgia is ready to cooperate with all countries in the fight against terrorism.

He further expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the terror act.

The Russian city Volgograd faced two terrorist attacks on December 29 and December 30. Thirty two people were killed and 104 people were injured as a result of the explosions.