Georgia, Russia should agree on the occupied territories: PM
By Jamila Babayeva
The occupied territories are the main issue on which Georgia and Russia should come to an agreement, Georgian Prime Minister told journalists in Munich.
Irakli Garibashvili said direct dialogue, which Georgia chose in its official relations with Moscow is supported by the U.S. and the European Union.
"The tadical approach of the former government in its relations with Russia was completely defective, and European leaders look back on it with regret. They like the new policy that we are pursuing," said Garibashvili, noting with satisfaction that Russia "has also begun to take constructive steps on Georgia".
He said Georgia should be able to return to the normal framework of relations with Russia.
Garibashvili assured that Georgia will always take principle position in the issue of the occupied territories.
"In these negotiations with Russia, the EU and the U.S. are important. I believe that we must move forward in this direction," he noted.
The settlement of Georgian-Russian relations was discussed during Garibashvili'S meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Munich on February 1.
The parties emphasized the importance of including the UN representatives in Geneva international talks' format.
The representatives of the Georgian government briefed the UN Secretary General on the situation of the occupied territories, the violation of human rights, and the necessity of ensuring security.
The installation of barbed wires by Russia in the Georgian territory was also discussed. The installation of these barbed wires is in violation of the international laws and the ceasefire agreement signed on August 12, 2008, the Georgian delegation said.
This endangers the country's stability and the security of the population in the occupied regions, Garibashvili noted.
Georgia and Russia, its giant northern neighbor, have maintained 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.