4 Oct 2019 19:51

Abashidze reaffirms Tbilisi's willingness to continue dialogue with Moscow in Prague format

TBILISI. Oct 4 (Interfax) - Georgian prime ministerial representative for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze has reaffirmed Tbilisi's willingness to continue dialogue with Russia in the format of meetings in Prague.

"We are waiting for a decision as to who, on the Russian side, will continue the work in the so-called Prague format," Abashidze said on Georgian television on Friday, adding that Georgia had already reaffirmed its willingness to continue this dialogue.

In commenting earlier on former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin's resignation as Russia's representative in the Prague-format meetings with Georgia, Abashidze reiterated that the dialogue should be continued.

He assumed that the resumption of direct commercial flights between Russia and Georgia could be addressed at the next round of the international discussions on security in the South Caucasus in Geneva.

"It's quite possible that this matter could be addressed in one form or another in Geneva next week. The Russian delegation will have a new leader there. The leaders of our delegation and the Russian one will meet each other. They will communicate there, and it's not ruled out that they could talk about this as well," he said.

In commenting on Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's remark calling for exercising patience and finding a moment that would be best for resuming air services, Abashidze said Georgia welcomed such messages.