Russia wants to cooperate with Georgia - Putin
MOSCOW. June 11 (Interfax) - Russia sees positive signals from the new Georgian government and is ready to cooperate with this country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"As for the new Georgian government's decision to take part in the Olympics [in Sochi] and make some other reciprocal steps, we see them and we can appreciate them. We are responding to them," Putin said at a meeting with the staff of Russia Today television station.
"We are ready for cooperation with Georgia. We want to restore relations with it. We have very warm feelings toward Georgia," he said.
Talking about the conflict between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Putin noted, "It was necessary to have enough patience and state wisdom to build relations with both South Ossetia and Abkhazia within one state. But, unfortunately, it didn't happen."
"As a reaction to this event, Russia made that step that led to South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's recognition. And I cannot imagine a step backward. But this is also a kind of red line for Georgia, which Georgia cannot cross, because, as it believes, Georgia is fighting for its territorial integrity," Putin said.
"This is an issue that calls for close consideration and not only a competent solution but also the desire to resolve the issue based on respect for the interests of the people living on this territory," he said.
"If the opinion of the people living there is treated with respect and a solution is found based on this approach, it can be long-lived," Putin said.
He noted, however, that the problem can be solved only by the people "living there, without any decision imposed from the outside."
