Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Georgian-Russian relations are going to be discussed at the next meeting between the Georgian PM's Special Representative to Russia Zurab Abashizdze and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in Prague on October 16.

Abashizde said the agenda of the meeting includes talks on trade and humanitarian issues. The two high-ranking officials are also going to discuss the implementation of Georgia's Association Agreement with the Eurasian Union.

"Georgia sees no threat posed by that agreement to Russia and the free trade between Georgia and Russia will be resumed," Abashidze noted.

Abashidze has earlier said Georgian government was ready to discuss the resumption of the railway transportation with Russia through the occupied Abkhazia region.

He noted that the mentioned issue has not yet been discussed during his regular meetings with Karasin. "If Moscow wants to discuss the resumption of the railway, then Georgia will be ready for it, but will decide about it based on its national interests," he noted.

Abashidze added that if Russia is interested in the opening of railway transportation, it has to offer its initiative. "We will mull over the initiative. We are not going to plug our ears. But it is much more than a railway problem, as it is more serious. We are talking about Abkhazia. That's why the two sides need to come to a consensus before starting the talks on transport issues."

The Georgian authorities announced that they are ready to start talks on this topic, nevertheless, the railway will not be opened until the political issues are resolved.

"The first issue is reaching a political consensus on major issues. They may lead to the breakdown of negotiations," Abashidze said.

On the night of August 8, 2008, military actions were launched on the territory of South Ossetia, Georgia. Later the Russian troops occupied the city and drove back the Georgian military forces. In late August, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In response, Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow and announced the two unrecognized republics as occupied territories.