Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 24 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgia hopes that Russia will adequately understand Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's peace initiative.
Speaking in front of the European parliament on Nov. 23, Saakashvili said Georgia will never use force to restore its territorial integrity.
Despite existing threats, Tbilisi is ready to take up such international obligations, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said at a press briefing today.
"The Georgian president is authorized to make such a statement, and the state has an obligation never to resort to violent measures in the restoration of its territorial integrity," Kalandadze said. "We hope that Saakashvili's statement will be the key to starting a consultation dialogue."
Military actions were launched in the unrecognized republic of South Ossetia in August 2008. Georgian troops entered South Ossetia. Later, Russian troops occupied the Tskhinvali and drove the Georgian military back to Georgia. Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on Aug. 26 and established diplomatic relations with the de facto states on Sept. 9, 2008.