Georgia has expressed a desire to normalize relations with Russia, still considering Abkhazia and South Ossetia as the occupied territories. Such rhetoric is not conducive to a dialogue without preconditions. This was declared by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a press conference after a meeting of NATO-Russia Council held at the ministerial level in Brussels December 4.
"The new Georgian leadership on several occasions publicly stated a desire to normalize relations with Russia, and, in general, with its regional neighbors. Having heard about it from the media we want to understand what are their concrete suggestions,"- he said, stressing that Russia would never avoid the contacts with Georgia.
He noted that the people of Georgia are friendly to Russia, they have much in common in historical, cultural and humanitarian field.
"We did not sever diplomatic relations with Georgia after the venture that Mikhail Saakashvili began attacking South Ossetia. Even in the post-conflict period has been renewed charter jet service between several Russian and Georgian cities. We have repeatedly said that we are ready to consider resuming the supply of agricultural products from Georgia if it meets the requirements that Russia imposes on such import "- reminded the Russian Foreign Minister.
In addition, Lavrov pointed to the continuous humanitarian relations between Russia and Georgia.
"Russian theaters have been regularly staged performances with participation of the Georgian film directors and actors. Our cultural workers attend the relevant events in Georgia," - he underlined.
According to the Minister, for Russia there is no problem in the normalization of bilateral relations, the main thing is- to understand the context in which this is done.
"Our Georgian neighbors have expressed a desire to normalize relations, but have confirmed that they consider Abkhazia and South Ossetia as the occupied territories. Probably, this rhetoric is not very conducive to a dialogue without preconditions. I repeat, in practical areas of human communication, economy we have no closed topics "- summed up the Russian Foreign Ministry.
