Diplomatic relations between Moscow, Tbilisi cannot be restored without making progress on Abkhazia, Tskhinvali district - Georgian PM's envoy
TBILISI. Nov 4 (Interfax) - It would be impossible to restore diplomatic relations between Tbilisi and Moscow without tangible progress on the subject of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali district, Special Representative of the Georgian Prime Minister for Relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze said.
"The restoration of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia is not being considered anywhere, but the item may be put on the agenda in case tangible progress on the subject of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali district is made at a certain point," Abashidze told the press on Friday, commenting on the remarks by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin that Georgia was not prepared to discuss the restoration of bilateral diplomatic relations.
As to Karasin's words that Russia did not rule out a visa-free travel regime for Georgian citizens, Abashidze said that Russia had substantially liberalized the visa regime with Georgia at the beginning of this year.
"We cannot demand that Russia cancel the visa travel regime; it's up to them to decide," Abashidze said.
He said he was due to meet with Karasin again in Prague in late January 2017.
