TBILISI, November 1 (Itar-Tass) — Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has introduced the post of a special representative of the prime minister for relations with Russia, Georgian government officials said.
The man appointed to the post is a leading diplomat, Zurab Abashidze.
Abashidze has confirmed his appointment in an interview with Itar-Tass to promise to share his ideas of what the process of normalization of relations with Russia might look like a little later.
Over the past weeks Ivanishvili has said more than once that normalization of relations with Russia was one of Georgia’s high priorities, although this process will be a no easy one.
“Between Georgia and Russia there is a possible coincidence of interests on many issues, including those on security matters,” he said. “Georgia will use the mechanisms of international organizations to enter into a dialogue with Russia and trading and cultural relations between the two countries may be restored soon.”
Zurab Abashidze is son of an eminent 20th century author Irakly Abashidze. In 1993-2000 he was Georgia’s ambassador to Benelux countries, to NATO and to the European countries. In 2000 he was Georgia’s deputy foreign minister, and in July 2000-February 2004, Georgia’s ambassador to Russia. Over the past few years he has been engaged in scientific activity.