Irakli Kobakhidze, head of the ruling Georgian Dream party in Georgia, said that Tbilisi does not intend to restore diplomatic relations with Moscow. They were torn apart against the background of Russia’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
However, Kobakhidze noted that Georgia is ready to discuss deepening cooperation in economic and humanitarian issues.
“There are red lines that are associated with de-occupation and our integration with the West. Everything can be discussed within the framework of these red lines, but we will not be able to talk about the restoration of diplomatic relations”, said the politician, who in the past headed the parliament.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday, August 5, a different position. Alexander Bikantov, Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, noted that Moscow is ready to restore diplomatic relations with Tbilisi. But he noted that this will be done to the extent that the Georgian side is ready.
Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia in September 2008, when it recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Tbilisi has maintained consular relations, and since 2009 a section of Russian interests has been working at the Georgian embassy in Switzerland.