Tbilisi, Georgia, Feb. 12
Trend - Nana Kirtzkhalia
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili is ready for a direct dialogue with the Russian administration, he said during the program "The time of politics" on "Imedi" TV. At the same time, the Prime Minister considers that they have to prepare for that meeting very seriously.
"I confirm once again that we are ready to conduct a direct dialogue with the Russian side. The representatives of the country's administration are willing to conduct a constructive dialogue with the northern neighbor of Georgia. I am not going to tell about the details, format, time and place of the meeting. I would like to mention that Georgia has to regulate relations with its closest neighbor - Russia. We have a serious problem, and in order to conduct this meeting, we have to prepare seriously," he said.
According to the Prime Minister, the new authorities of Georgia have changed the approach towards Russia.
"After the parliamentary elections of 2012, the representatives of the ruling Georgian party under the guidance of Bidzina Ivanishvili have changed the radical approach and policy. The new team started a constructive dialogue with Russia; the special representative of the Georgian Prime Minister on the issues of relations with Russia was appointed.The USA and EU support the new approach," Garibashvili highlighted.
Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.
Translated by R.A.
Edited by C.N.