Tbilisi, Georgia, August 4
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
Russia continues illegal actions in the breakaway regions of Georgia, which can not be considered an adequate response to positive steps in the country.
The Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze made the remarks during her speech at ambassadoriale in Tbilisi.
"Georgia has already made some concrete steps in view of gradual normalization of relations with Russia," she stressed.
Georgian FM also noted the importance of the Geneva format of the talks. "This is an important format for the settlement of relations with its northern neighbor," Panjikidze said.
The FM also noted that informal direct dialogue between Georgia and Russia is being continued.
"A certain positive dynamic was made possible as a result of pragmatic policy of the Georgian government, although Russia has again continued illegal activities, including the installation of barbed wire. This, of course, is an inadequate response to the positive steps of Georgia," she 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 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 CN