Moscow is ready to restore diplomatic relations with Tbilisi. We are ready if the Georgian side is ready - there are no restrictions for us here, - Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with Russian media.
According to him, diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia were severed not by the Russian authorities, but by the Saakashvili regime "after this regime attempted to carry out aggression against the population of South Ossetia, Russian peacekeepers and, accordingly, the Russian Federation," and now, in Georgia, the Saakashvili regime is experiencing the harshest criticism for this.
According to Galuzin, last fall, during the election campaign, the Georgian leadership made very "reasonable statements about the need to apologize to the population of South Ossetia and the intention to achieve reconciliation."
“As I understand it, official Tbilisi has the same attitude towards Abkhazia. These are, of course, positive signals. We hope that they will be expressed in concrete steps towards the normalization of relations between Georgia and Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Galuzin noted.
He stressed that Russia’s decision to recognize the sovereignty and independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not subject to revision.
“We regret that the Georgian leadership is still linking the restoration of diplomatic relations to our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We have repeatedly stated and I am ready to repeat that the decision taken by the Russian Federation in August 2008 to recognize the sovereignty and independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not subject to revision,” Galuzin noted.
He asserted that Russia is ready to continue the comprehensive development of mutually beneficial cooperation with Georgia.
“There are many opportunities for this. Russia remains an important market for Georgia in many areas, especially for wine products and fruits. On the other hand, Russia is a leading supplier of energy resources and grain to Georgia. Russia and Georgia are united by a common history, common faith, cultural, humanitarian and human ties,” Galuzin noted.
According to him, the Russian side has taken very important steps in recent years.
“In particular, direct air traffic between Russia and Georgia has been restored. Visa-free travel for Georgian citizens has been restored. As for diplomatic relations, we are ready to restore them. We are ready if the Georgian side is ready. There are no restrictions for us here,” Galuzin noted.
When asked if a signal comes from the Georgian side whether it is possible to restore diplomatic and political contacts, Galuzin replied:
“Diplomats really don’t like to answer questions that start with the word ‘if.’ But in this case, I would say that you are probably right.”
