Moscow, Tbilisi holding secret talks?December 23, 2008 - 14:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia has had secret talks through intermediaries with Russian officials about restoring direct flights and diplomatic ties after the August war, the Kommersant daily reported Tuesday.The newspaper said that the key intermediary in the talks has been Mikheil Khubutia, the head of the Union of Georgians in Russia, who the paper said met Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on November 21 in Munich. "I spoke recently to Saakashvili," Khubutia told the newspaper, without confirming the date of his meeting with the president or that he had met Russian officials. "We discussed restoring flights between Georgia and Russia and restoring diplomatic relations," he said. "He seems disappointed that Georgia has not been given an action plan for NATO membership and that he has not received the due support from Europe," he added. However talks on a resumption of ties would be a major turnaround amid the current war of words between Moscow and Tbilisi in the aftermath of their August conflict over Georgian pro-Russian breakaway regions. Kommersant also quoted sources close to the Russian presidency as saying that there was no hope for a solution as long as the pro-Western Saakashvili remained in power. "He understands that himself. He needs to vacate his post rather than trying to find a way out of this dead end." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |