Russia Ready to Restore Parliamentary Cooperation with Georgia

Leonid Kalashnikov, Chairman of the Committee, says that the Russian State Duma’s Committee for the CIS, Eurasian Integration and Communications with Compatriots is ready to initiate restoration of parliamentary cooperation with Georgia.

"The Committee is ready to do its best to promote restoration of cooperation - both parliamentary and general cooperation. We will hold hearings in the committee; we will analyze the results of the elections and address the Georgian side with a proposal. Let's see if they respond to it,“ Kalashnikov told Tass agency when commenting on Georgia’s 2016 parliamentary elections.

Kalashnikov said that the policy of confrontation with Russia and Mikheil Saakashvili’s hopes for returning to power have failed.

"But, naturally, this does not mean that diplomatic ties will be automatically restored. I do not know whether Georgian Dream will develop friendly and good neighborly relations with Russia. There are still obstacles, but consultations continue," he said.

Georgian-Russian relations have been strained ever since the August2008 Russo-Georgian War. Deputy Foreign Minister of the time, Grigol Vashadze, announced that Georgia was breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia, however when Georgian Dream came to power in February 2012, Georgia introduced a visa-free regime for Russians visiting Georgia for short visits. In December 2012, Russian and Georgian representatives had the first two-way discussions since the outbreak of the war.

Natia Liparteliani