( Civil Georgia ) - Georgian and Russian negotiators started talks in Tbilisi on May 31 in an attempt to bridge differences between the two sides over Russia's possible accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Georgia, as an existing member, has the right to veto Russia's application.
Russia's chief WTO negotiator, Maksim Medvedkov, from the Economy Development Ministry, and Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Tamar Kovziridze head the respective delegations.
As a pre-condition for support, Tbilisi is demanding that Russia legalize trade at the two border crossing points between Russia and the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The Russians, however, insist that such a demand is political in nature and should have no place in WTO accession talks.