Georgian Foreign Minister Speaks on Tbilisi-Moscow Ties
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said in a interview with the Russian newspaper Novie Izvestia that Russo-Georgian relations are far from normal; but added that a new stage of relations was launched between Russia and Georgia at the CIS Summit in Astana, the Kazakh capital, on September 15-16.
?There are no sings of warming up [of relations between Georgia and Russia]. However, in my opinion, both sides are ready to discuss real problems; hence this situation can not last long. I mean anti-Georgia hysteria in Russia and anti-Russian statements in Georgia. This road leads nowhere,? Salome Zourabichvili said.
She ruled out the possible arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Georgia in the near future as was planned early this year, ?since there is no real chance of signing a comprehensive framework agreement on friendship and cooperation? between the two countries.
However, on an invitation by the Georgian side, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to visit Tbilisi in late October. ?It will be a good sign if this visit takes place. We may discuss a possible meeting between [Georgian President Mikhail] Saakashvili and Putin,? the Minister added.
She also said that Russia should play the role of real mediator in the settlement of the South Ossetian and Abkhaz conflicts. ?This will help Russia gain real influence in the region. But Russia needs time, as well as a restoration of trust with Georgia, to achieve this,? Salome Zourabichvili added.
