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Tbilisi lacks resolve to make steps for improving relations with Russia — politician

"Our authorities are always scared that they will be labelled as pro-Russian," Nino Burjanadze said

MOSCOW, October 6. /TASS/. The improvement of relations between Russia and Georgia is possible but Tbilisi lacks resolve to make concrete steps in this direction, Nino Burjanadze, head of the party "Democratic Movement - United Georgia" and former parliament speaker, told Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper in an interview published on Thursday.

"Over the last years, I had several meetings with Russia’s leadership. I saw real readiness to work on resolving the problems that have accumulated in the relations between our countries. Georgia may have this desire, too, but it lacks resolve to make concrete steps," Burjanadze said.

"Our authorities are always scared that they will be labelled as pro-Russian. It is important for them to prove their loyalty to the West, that’s why the process stalls," she added that the improvement of Russian-Georgian relations will require a lot of time.

Burjanadze said she does not think that conflict is a natural condition for the Georgian and Russian people. "This is our fault as politicians, ordinary people do not have this hatred… People want to be friends. Russia needs to be confident that there is no threat from Georgia — NATO missiles, for instance — and Georgia wants to feel support in Russia," she concluded.