Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoriy Karasin To Discuss Bilateral Ties With Georgian Envoy On Feb 27

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoriy Karasin said Thursday that he planned to discuss Russian-Georgian relations in trade, transport and humanitarian contacts with the Georgian prime minister's special representative for relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, in Prague on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st February, 2019) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoriy Karasin said Thursday that he planned to discuss Russian-Georgian relations in trade, transport and humanitarian contacts with the Georgian prime minister's special representative for relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, in Prague on Wednesday.

"Our 21st meeting with Zurab Abashidze is scheduled to take place in Prague on February 27. During the consultations, we plan to continue discussing practical matters regarding Russian-Georgian relations in the areas of trade, transport and humanitarian contacts," Karasin said.

In addition, there will be an exchange of views on the implementation of the 2011 Russian-Georgian agreement on the basic principles of customs administration and monitoring trade, Karasin added.

Karasin recalled that the dialogue with Abashidze had started in December 2012.

"This intention [to launch a dialogue] was fully supported by our side. After six years, we can state with satisfaction that, despite the lack of diplomatic relations and despite all political difficulties, we have managed to do a lot," the diplomat said.

Bilateral trade has significantly increased, topping $1.3 billion in 2018, making Moscow Tbilisi's second-largest trade and economic partner, Karasin pointed out.

The number of Russian tourists visiting Georgia is on the rise, and people-to-people contacts, exchange tours, exhibitions and joint cultural projects are becoming more active, the diplomat said, adding that these developments were "welcomed."

Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia were severed in 2008, shortly after Moscow recognized the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russian officials have repeatedly stated that this recognition reflected existing realities and could not be reconsidered. The dialogue between the countries is maintained within the framework of the Geneva discussions, and negotiations between Karasin and Abashidze.