Georgia ready to negotiate with Russia, says Vashadze

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said that he is inviting Russian leaders to start a dialogue with Georgia aimed on settlement to the territorial claims and normalisation of relations towards partnership and friendly neighboring ties, RBK reported.

“I am ready to meet with Russian counterpart Minister Lavrov,” said Vashadze.

“We initiate [Russia] to renew the negotiations. However, ahead of this we call for Moscow to start process of surrendering of occupied Georgian territories,” he added.

According to Georgian administration, Russia should withdraw its troops from the occupied territories, and launch program of returning of refugees and displaced people back to their homes in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali area.

Minister Vashadze assured that Georgia will immediately start negotiations as soon as Russian authorities accept the mentioned conditions and start contacting with all interested sides.