Georgia, Tbilisi, June 12 / Trend, N. Kirtzkhalia /
The presidential candidate from the ruling Georgian Dream party, First Vice Prime Minister, Education Minister Giorgi Margvelashvili believes that the easing of relations with Russia, a major priority, has been achieved, he said this on Wednesday, commenting Russian President Vladimir Putin's readiness to resume relations with Georgia.
"Our external priorities are gradually fulfilled," he said. "An external priority of ours was to mitigate the relations with Russia. Concerning the specific actions, it is early to speak about this."
Large scale military actions were launched in South Ossetia in Georgia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia late in August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has announced the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be occupied territories.