Georgia’s foreign minister Vashadze offers talks with Moscow

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze has said he offers Russia’s leadership to start a dialogue over the territorial dispute with Russia in an attempt to restore cooparation and friendly relations, reports Russian daily RBK daily.

“I’am ready to meet my Russian counterpart Mr Lavrvov. We intiate the resumption of the negotiation process, but before that first of all we offer Moscow to de-occupy Georgia’s occupied territories,” he was reported as saying.

Georgia says that as a pre-condition for this dialogue to start Russia should withdraw its troops from the territories Georgia lost due to the 5-day war in 2008, as well as to ensure all the necessary conditions for the return of refugees and internally displaced pepole to Abkhasia and South Ossetia.

Mr Vashadze also assured that Georgia will start the negotiations immediately after the Russian authorities accept those conditions and start taking relevant steps for the purpose.

Moscow has not responded to Vashadze’s statement yet.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia unilaterally declared independence after the 5 August 2008 Russo-Georgian war. Only four countries have so far recognized their independence.