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Georgian and Russian views on Aug 2008 differ - Abashidze

Abashidze said "in 2008, Georgia became a victim of an aggression"
Photo ITAR-TASS / Valery Matytsin
Photo ITAR-TASS / Valery Matytsin

TBILISI, August 4 (Itar-Tass) - Georgia and Russia have different positions on the war in August 2008, Georgian prime minister’s envoy on relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze said commenting on the interview of Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev with the Russia Today television channel.

Abashidze said “in 2008, Georgia became a victim of an aggression, but, unfortunately, at that time tragic, dramatic mistakes and wrong steps were made also by the Georgian side.”

“The most complicated result of those events of August 2008 is Russia’s decision, which is unacceptable for Georgia and the international community, on recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia; this issue will be very tough to settle, and it will require active peaceful efforts and time.”

“We have never expected and are not expecting now Russia to be making an immediate U-turn in its position, but it is necessary step by step, even in small steps, to be moving forward along this complicated way to bring to normal the relations between the two countries,” the diplomat said.