Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb.6/ Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /
Gradual rapprochement between Georgia and Russia would be positive, State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Eric Rubin said during a speech at a Washington university.
"Good relations with neighbors are in the interests of Georgia. It has historically had good relations with big neighbors, and we welcome the return of this, but today, this is not so easy to achieve," Rubin said.
He said there are already some positive steps, including an agreement signed last year with Russia on accession to the WTO under which trade relations with Georgia should be normalized.
Rubin expressed hope that the provisions of the agreement will be fulfilled this year under Swiss mediation.
"We understand that Georgia faces acute problems, including issues with its territorial integrity and sovereignty, we will do everything to make sure that other countries understand the UN's rationale behind its position on Georgian borders. We also call for an opportunity for Georgia to follow a path to European integration" Rubin said.