Georgia, Tbilisi, 14 March / Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /
The current situation with Georgia's breakaway regions is not in Russia's interests, Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili said at a meeting with representatives of the regional media.
"Even if tomorrow Russia decides to turn the situation around and abandon the occupation of our territories, it wouldn't be able to do so, as this process would require many years," he said.
Ivanishvili advised the Georgian people to remain patient as "nothing can be solved in five minutes."
"I do not intend to change my position and criticize Russia. We will patiently and tirelessly fight for the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity," he said.
However, Ivanishvili said terms such as "occupation" and "separatism" reflect reality and Georgia will never renounce these in relations with Russia.
"This is not going to happen as long as Georgian territory is under occupation", he said.
Large scale military actions were launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia late in August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has called the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.