Georgia will not restore diplomatic relations with Russia as long as it continues to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kapanadze said on air at Echo of Moscow.
On Friday Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Russia in connection with the Georgia's announcement on Feb, 29 of visa free regime for citizens of Russia is ready to introduce on a reciprocal basis visa free regime with Georgia and proposes to restore diplomatic relations severed after the war in South Ossetia in August, 2008, RIA Novosti reported.
Military actions were launched in the Georgian territory, South Ossetia on Aug.8 in 2008. Later the Russian troops occupied the Tskhinvali city and drove the Georgian military back. Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in late August. In response, Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow and announced two unrecognized republics as the occupied territories.
"If Russia reconsiders its decision dated August 26, 2008 on the recognition of these so-called republics and starts de-occupation of our country, we will be ready to restore relations," Kapanadze said.