TBILISI, June 9. /TASS/. Talking about restoring diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia is unrealistic at this stage, Georgian Prime Minister’s envoy for Relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze told reporters on Tuesday.
"Under the current circumstances, when Russia does not recognize Georgia’s territorial integrity within the framework of the internationally recognized borders of our country, it is unrealistic to talk about restoring diplomatic relations with Russia," he said.
Abashidze noted though that, "if we really begin the process of resolving this major problem and if there are serious steps and progress in the process of restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity, of course, the question on restoring diplomatic relations with Russia may arise at some point."
The ruling Georgian Dream coalition, which came to power after winning the parliamentary elections on October 1, 2012, "believes the country’s most important task is gradual normalization of relations with Russia based on Georgia’s national interests." On the other hand, the country’s leaders said on numerous occasions that "the restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia was closely interconnected with the issue of Georgia’s territorial integrity within the framework of the country’s internationally recognized borders.".