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Russia ready to resume full-scale dialogue with new Georgian leadership, says PM

According to Medvedev, the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has picked up significantly over the past several years

MOSCOW, August 7. /TASS/. Russia is ready to resume a full-fledged dialogue with the new Georgian leadership, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Kommersant.

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"I don’t think it [the 2008 conflict and Moscow’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states - TASS] is a problem that will always define relations between Russia and Georgia," he said. "Diplomatic relations can be restored - we were not the ones who severed them anyway. If our Georgian colleagues are willing, we will not say no," Medvedev added.

Prime minister stressed that there is a different government in Georgia now. "[Former Georgian President Mikheil] Saakashvili’s career in Georgia is most likely over, which is good for Georgia, as I see it. We are willing to develop relations with the new Georgian leadership, no matter the names or party affiliation," he noted.

According to Medvedev, the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has picked up significantly over the past several years. "That includes tourism. Flights have resumed, and people are going on vacation to Georgia. These are positive developments. I hope that ultimately this will also help normalise our political ties and resume full-scale dialogue between Moscow and Tbilisi," he emphasized.

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