Georgia, Tbilisi, Aug. 15 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgia and Russia have resumed international automobile communication. The decision was taken at a meeting of representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, which was held in Moscow on August 6-7, the Ministry of Economy of Georgia told Trend on Thursday.
The ministry said that the purpose of the visit was the resumption of international freight and passenger road traffic between countries according to the needs.
At the meeting, the Georgian side raised the issue of the need for simplification of the visa regime for Georgian drivers. From the Russian side, consent was obtained to ensure that this matter will be settled favorably in the near future.
At this stage, the parties have exchanged 500 permits for transport of goods in 2013, which will give the opportunity to Georgian carriers to transport cargo in the direction of Russia. In addition, the parties agreed to exchange permits for the transport of goods to a third country.
The meeting also agreed on the resumption of regular bus service between the cities of Russia and Georgia, which had been interrupted since 2006.
Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.