Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb. 18 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
The International Olympic Committee is an organization that decides which teams are allowed to participate in the Olympics, Georgian Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze told journalists on Monday, commenting on information regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia teams' possible separate participation in the Sochi Olympic Games.
"I do not think that this will happen, given that our relations with Russia have moved to a whole new level. Moreover, this matter is decided not only by Russia. The International Olympic Committee is an organization that allows the teams to participate in the Olympics. Thus, this is not such a simple question. I believe that after we have made some steps towards improving relations with Russia and listed the Sochi Olympics amongst one of the areas of cooperation, this is unlikely to be in someone's interests, " Panjikidze said.
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 recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia late in August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has declared the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.