TBILISI, August 18 /TASS/. Georgia may have new opportunities for developing relations with Russia if it stays out of any blocs, Nino Burdzhanadze, the leader of the Democratic Movement - United Georgia opposition party, told a news conference in Tbilisi on Thursday.

"My visit to Moscow convinced me once again of the need to establish a direct dialogue with Russian leaders for the solution of Georgia’s problems. It was important for me to learn about the Russian authorities’ attitude to our initiative on Georgia’s non-bloc status," she said.

Burdzhanadze said she had seen (Russia’s) readiness to resolve problems existing in Georgian-Russian relations with consideration for the interests of both countries during her talks with Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin held during her visit to Moscow. They discussed regional problems and geopolitical situation as well as a wide range of issues concerning the normalization of the Georgian-Russian relations.

Georgia needs direct dialog with Russian leadership

Burdzhanadze urges a direct dialog with the Russian leadership to solve major problems in the country.

"I saw that Moscow understands well the problems existing in relations between the two countries," she said.

Burdzhanadze said, she saw "readiness to settle the problems existing in Georgian-Russian relations basing on the interest of the two countries".

The first persons of Russia and Georgia have held no official negotiations since the conflict in South Ossetia in August 2008. After the "five-day war", Moscow recognized the independence of South Ossetia. In turn, Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia.