Russian Foreign Minister Comments on Ties with Georgia

In an interview with the Russian daily Izvestia published on December 26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that political relations with Georgia, does not hinder development of close economic ties between the two countries. In the interview Lavrov also spoke about the process of withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia and said that Tbilisi sometimes plays ?strange and unserious? role in this process.

When asked to comment on, as a journalist put it, ?paradox situation? persisting in respect of Russia?s relations with Georgia and Latvia, when Russia has economic influence over these two countries, but political relations with them still remain tense, Lavrov responded that ?this is mainly linked with the need to overcome certain emotional memories of the past.?

?These countries are in the process of establishment of independent state, are looking for ways to strengthen their statehood. They need to solve both economic and social problems. We are keen to help them in this [process]. That is why we do not put economic relations into dependence on political and other problems persisting in our relationship,? Sergey Lavrov said.

But he complained that relations with Russia are often blamed by these countries for their failure ?to develop their structures, economy and to solve social problems.?

He also commented on the process of withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia and said that although Russia is following its commitments undertaken under the agreement signed between Russian Foreign Minister and Georgia?s ex-Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili in May, Georgia is creating obstacles to the Russian servicemen. He said that there have been problems with issuing of visas to the Russian servicemen, which he noted, is now solved after talks with his Georgian counterpart Gela Bezhuashvili.

?But other problems still persist. Some incidents occur almost on daily basis. Our peacekeepers are being detained under the pretext of not having entry visas. But it is the Georgian side which had done everything in order not to issue visas. I think this is very strange and unserious,? Sergey Lavrov said.

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