Karasin welcomes outcomes of Prague meeting
TBILISI. April 16 (Interfax) - The sixth meeting between Georgian Prime Minister's Special Representative Zurab Abashidze and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin was held in a constructive atmosphere in Prague.
"Our meeting today focused on transport links and energy cooperation. Overall, the meeting was constructive," Karasin told Georgian television channels in Prague on Wednesday.
"Our economic relations have moved forward. In 2013, trade between our countries doubled, Georgian exports to the Russian market have risen. We issued 22,000 Russian visas, many more than in the previous years," he said.
The diplomats also discussed the arrest of three Georgian television journalists in Tskhinvali yesterday, Karasin said.
"We touched upon this subject. One can only regret that such facts are taking place ahead of our meetings with Mr. Abashidze in Prague. It shows that along with a part of the Georgian population who are interested in normalizing our relations, there is another interested in confrontation and escalating the situation," Karasin said.
The Russian authorities are keen on continuing the Abashidze-Karasin talks, he said.
"Our next meeting is expected to be held again in Prague this July," Karasin said.