All news

Georgia to keep mending ties with Russia, says premier

Relations between Russia and Georgia soured after August 2008 events when Georgia attacked neighbor South Ossetia, leading to Moscow's recognition of South Ossetia as an independent nation
Georgian Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili  EPA/ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE
Georgian Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili
© EPA/ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE

TBILISI, May 19. /TASS/. Georgia seeks to continue the process of mending relations with Russia, Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili said on Tuesday.

"[The Georgian authorities] will continue in a constructive spirit a difficult process of normalization of ties with Russia," he said at a Georgian-Austrian business forum, noting progress in trade and economic ties of the two states.

Despite difficulties in the settlement of other (political) problems marring relations with Russia "we will continue intensive work in this direction taking into account Georgia’s state interests, "he said.

The business forum with the participation of Austrian President Heinz Fischer, government officials and leading business executives of the two countries discusses cooperation in the energy, transport, construction, and agricultural sectors.

This is the first ever visit by an Austrian president to Georgia.

Relations between Russia and Georgia soured after August 2008 events when Georgia attacked neighbor South Ossetia, leading to Moscow's recognition of South Ossetia as an independent nation.