Georgia, Tbilisi, Sept. 13 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgia's Ambassador to the U.S. Temur Yakobashvili discounts the pressure from Washington on Georgia due to Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"The United States position is simple - they support Russia's membership in the WTO, because of its civilized form of relations. But there is no question that Russia must necessarily be a member of this organization. The U.S. has two clear positions: first - if Russia wants to join the WTO, it must negotiate with Georgia, and the United States does not intend to serve our country to Russia on a tray. Second - Americans support consensus adopted in the WTO," he said.
However, Yakobashvili voiced some doubt as to whether or not Russia wants to join the WTO." Some voices in Russia want to join the WTO, but others, including in government, do not want this," he said.
Military actions were launched in the Unrecognized Republic of South Ossetia in August 2008. Georgian troops entered Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. Russian troops later occupied the city 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 them on Sept. 9, 2008.