Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has called for gradual normalization of relations with Russia, ITAR-TASS reports. “I have no illusions that we will manage to restore relations with Russia very fast. My dream is to get good relations with our large neighbour, but this should be done gradually,” he told the PACE spring session on Tuesday.
At the same time he called for pragmatic approach in the process of normalizing relations between Georgia and Russia. “I can say with confidence that our position in relation to Russia will be correct, but principled,” Ivanishvili said.
He noted that it should not be expected that “Georgia will abandon its legal interests, especially interests concerning territorial integrity and the rights of citizens to return to their native lands.”
Ivanishvili also called on the European community to provide support in resolving these issues. “Georgia needs international support. There should not be an impression that Georgia can resolve these problems on its own and that it does not need European partners’ support,” he said.
Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service
