Tbilisi, Georgia, Nov. 22
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
The positive dynamics of a bilateral Georgian-Russian dialogue is directly related to the Geneva process and Tbilisi expects constructive action to be taken in this direction, the Georgian Prime Minister's Special Representative for Relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze said following the fifth round of talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in Prague.
'Georgia is doing everything to enhance this progress', the statement says.
Abashidze stressed former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's role in the resumption of Georgian- Russian dialogue.
"It was confirmed that the new Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and President Giorgi Margvelashvili are ready to continue the dialogue with Russia with a view to find an acceptable solution to the existing problems between the two countries," Abashidze stressed.
Abashidze also summed up the activity for the year.
According to Abashidze, the direct Georgian - Russian dialogue was initiated on the initiative of the Georgian government and supported by the Russian leadership in December 2012. A bilateral mechanism for an informal dialogue that takes place in accordance with the instructions of Georgian Prime Minister and the Russian president was created.
The statement stressed that the issues related to such areas as trade, transport and cultural and humanitarian relations are being considered.
Abashidze stressed that the parties initially agreed not to raise issues envisaged by the agenda of the Geneva international discussions.
The negotiators summed up the annual dialogue during the fifth meeting and exchanged proposals for discussion at the next stage.
"We stressed that most of the issues on the agenda formed a year ago, have been practically implemented," Abashidze said. "In particular, Georgian products appearing in the Russian marketplace again are important. We discussed the issue of simplifying the visa system for Georgian citizens by the Russian side."
Moreover, he said that during the meeting they discussed other specific topics including those of a humanitarian nature.
The Geneva talks were convened after the armed conflict in Georgia in August 2008, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement of 12 August.
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.