Tbilisi, Georgia, Jan.10
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
The next meeting of negotiators from the Georgia and Russia, Zurab Abashidze and Gregory Karasin will be held in late February after the Sochi Olympics.
"If Russia decides to cancel or significantly simplify the visa system with Georgia, the Georgian side will welcome it," Georgian Prime Minister's advisor on the Georgian- Russian relations Zurab Abashidze told media today. "This will improve relations between the two countries."
"Our meeting is scheduled for late February," he said. "We are likely to discuss the same issues and problems as before, namely trade and economic issues, transport communications, cultural and humanitarian relations. We have recently discussed simplification of the visa system. We got rid of it long ago. If the Russian side takes the same action by cancelling or significantly simplifying it, we will welcome this."
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.
Translated by NH
Edited by SM