MFA Comments on Postponement of PM’s Visit to Moscow

The Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the postponement of Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli’s visit to Moscow planned for February 26 and said that Russia’s decision to postpone this visit will delay a breakthrough in the current standoff between the two countries.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili said on February 21 that the Russian side decided to postpone the visit in order to “take a pause in the current tense situation.” He also said that the visit is postponed, “not canceled.”

“At this critical juncture of Georgian-Russian relations and amid the pressing need for a dialogue, both on the issues of conflict settlement and bilateral relations, it is necessary that we leave no stone unturned in our efforts to hold all necessary talks and consultations aimed at easing the persisting tension. The Russian side’s decision to postpone this visit hinders our quest to break through this standoff,” the statement issued by the Georgian Foreign Ministry on February 21 reads.

At the same time Tbilisi expressed concern over the statements by top Russian military officials on the possible growth of the Russian peacekeeping potential in the Tskhinvali region. The Georgian Foreign Ministry was referring to a statement by General-Major Valery Yevnevich, Deputy Commander of the Russian Land Forces in charge of Russian peacekeeping operations.

“Of special concern, however, is the fact that these statements are released against the background of military exercises being held in immediate proximity of the Georgian-Russian state border, on the territory near the conflict zone in the Tskhinvali region by the Russian 58th Army – which includes a Russian peacekeeping battalion deployed in the Tskhinvali region,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.

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