Russia hopes for better relations with Georgia

“We hope the changes [in Georgia] will enable the new Georgian government to improve the country’s relations with all its neighbors, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We will not engage in any talks on Abkhazia and South Ossetia with Georgia or any other country, as these republics have decided their own fates”, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday. Recall that Lavrov’s comments came right after Foreign Minister designate Maya Panjikidze said on Monday the new Georgian government would implement a plan to improve relations with Moscow, while maintaining its policy of pro-Western orientation. Panjikidze had noted that Georgia’s aim is “to improve relations with Russia thus reestablish territorial integrity of the country”.