Russia offers Georgia to resume diplomatic relations, Tbilisi refuses

Russia is ready to introduce visa-free regime with Georgia and to establish diplomatic relations with it. This was announced by Alexander Lukashevich, Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Russian Federation. In response, the Georgian side has stated that the diplomatic relations are not possible as long as Russia continues to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Georgia had unilaterally cancelled the visa regime with Russia. In accordance with the decree of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Russian citizens can stay in Georgia without visas for 90 days.

"The military adventurism of the Georgian leadership in August 2008 and the subsequent rupture of diplomatic relations with Russia by the Georgian side have undermined the ties between our countries. Moreover, the authorities in Tbilisi have set a course for the introduction of an enemy in the face of Russia into the public consciousness," announces the statement of Alexander Lukashevich, published on the website of the Russian MFA.

"We are ready to introduce on the mutual basis the non-visa regime for Georgian citizens. For this purpose, it is necessary that the Georgian side provided the reliable legal environment that would guarantee the safety of Russian citizens visiting Georgia. We also offer to restore diplomatic relations between our countries," reads the statement.

Georgia will not restore the diplomatic relations with Russia as long as it continues to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This was announced, in his turn, by Sergey Kapanadze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia in the air of the radio station "Echo Moskvy".