Russian Diplomat Speaks on CIS
Russia does not want tension with Georgia to become a matter for discussion at the forums held at the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Denisov said in a joint interview with Interfax news agency and Russian daily Vremya Novostei published on November 26.
?At various [CIS] meetings, Georgian representatives try to focus their attention on our bilateral ties. But Russia?s and most of our CIS partners? constructive and pragmatic stance helps to avoid unnecessary tension in the atmosphere of the CIS,? Denisov said.
He also said that Moscow respects western states? ?legal interests? in the CIS, but added that the region is ?a priority? of Russia?s foreign policy ?and we of course are not going to give up these interests.?
?We do not consider this space to be our ancestral land. Accusations towards Russia over having some kind of ‘imperial ambitions’ are groundless. By the way, I do not think that we are doomed here for a confrontation with the West. We have common interests. These are: strengthening of security and stability and the linkage of integration processes,? Denisov said.
He also said that Russia does not want the current ?frozen conflicts? in the CIS space to be ?un-frozen.? He noted that Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the conflict zones are carrying out ?an important mission? in this regard.
?And we will continue to implement this [mission] as long as it is demanded,? Denisov added.
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)