Georgian Prime Minister calls for deepening of relations with regional countries

Georgia, Tbilisi, September 2/Trend, N. Kirtzkhalia /

The deepening of bilateral political and economic cooperation with the countries of the region is necessary, the Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said at the ambassadorial in Tbilisi on Monday.

The Prime Minister considers it necessary to deepen bilateral political and economic cooperation with the countries of the region, particularly with Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia.

"Georgia has to become a mutually beneficial space of political and economic cooperation and the implementation of business opportunities for its nearest neighbors. My first official visits were carried out precisely in these countries, and I established friendly relations with their political leaders, that make me very happy. I call on the ambassadors of Georgia accredited in Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia to deepen and develop these friendly relations," Ivanishvili said.

According to him, Georgia has also started to improve relations with Russia.

"Pragmatic steps have been taken for the positive development of our relations, particularly in the spheres of economy, trade and culture. It should be noted that our friends welcomed and appreciated this new form of dialogue with Russia. Unfortunately, despite our large efforts, Russia has again moved the barbed wire deep into our country, which, of course, is not an adequate response to the steps that our government has made, " Ivanishvili said.

Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.

Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.