Tbilisi, Georgia, June 4
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
The Georgian government expresses readiness for a direct meeting with the Russian leadership, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told reporters on June 4.
He said that it is early to talk about the time, place and the format of the meeting.
"On the one hand, Georgia establishes constructive relations with Russia and on the other hand, it is preparing for signing the association agreement with the European Union," the prime minister stressed.
Garibashvili underscored that improvement is observed in the Georgian-Russian relations and it is evident in the trade sphere.
"We have already begun to trade with Russia and this process is expanding. Our citizens profit from this," the prime minister said.
He went on to add that Georgia will continue to make every effort to improve its relations with Russia, stressing that these relations were deteriorated under the previous government of the country.
Large scale military action was launched between Georgia and Russia 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 in late August.
In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.
Edited by C.N.