Restoring relations with Russia unacceptable now: Georgian officialSeptember 20, 2013 - 14:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgian Prime Minister’s special envoy for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze discussed the issue of Georgian breakaway republics' borders during his meeting with a Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in the Czech capital Prague on Thursday, Sept 19, according to RIA Novosti. The situation on the border between Georgia and its de-facto independent republic of South Ossetia deteriorated on Tuesday when Russian border guards started installing a barbed wire fence near the border with Georgia. Tbilisi accused Moscow of violating international norms. Abashidze said he expressed the Georgian government’s deep concern about “the blatant violation of humanitarian and international norms” to Karasin. “The restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia is in principle unacceptable for Georgia at this stage,” Itar-Tass quoted Abashidze as saying after the meeting. “Right now, this is unacceptable in principle, for us it would mean the recognition of the so-called new realities,” he said. “Georgia cannot do this.” “Our country was falling apart not once, but we have lived to this day,” he added. “I think that we will see a lot more in our lifetime.” Abashidze also said that Georgia’s participation in the Sochi Olympics in 2014 was “an uneasy decision” for Tbilisi. “We have politicians who criticize it, but we do not want to mix politics with sports,” he said. “We want the Olympic Games to pass peacefully and quietly, without incidents.” It has been five years since the end of the "Five-Day War" in 2008 -- the armed conflict between Russia and Georgia in South Ossetia. In the aftermath of the events of August 7-12, diplomatic ties between Russia and Georgia were terminated, and relations between the two countries teetered between confrontation and the search for new political dialog, saysa publication on Russia Direct. Most obstinate of all was the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After 2008, Moscow recognized the two republics as independent states The first steps toward mending relations with Russia were, in fact, taken under Mikheil Saakashvili when Georgia agreed to Russia's accession to the WTO, thereby creating opportunities for economic cooperation within an international framework. Big strides were then made by the government of Bidzina Ivanishvili, who came to power as a result of the victory of the opposition (the Georgian Dream coalition) in the parliamentary elections of 2012. Saakashvili still retains the presidency, but in reality his power is minimal: The country is run by the Cabinet of Ministers, and the president's National Movement resides in opposition. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |