The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia is sure that the further normalization of relations between Russia and Georgia "fully meets the interests of the people of the two countries". The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, stated about it in an interview with RTVI.

He linked the March protests in Georgia with the West's desire to "destabilize the situation" in the country, to convince its leadership to more actively support Ukraine and cut ties with Russia.

"We are sure that the further normalization of relations between Russia and Georgia, united by common history and culture, combining the destinies of millions of people, fully meets the interests of the peoples of our two countries," Galuzin said.

According to the Deputy Minister, "despite the growing pressure from outside and the absence of diplomatic relations", the relations between the countries are developing, first of all, in the trade and economic field.

As an example, the diplomat cited bilateral trade between Russia and Georgia, which increased by more than half in 2022.

Mikhail Galuzin said that the joint work of Moscow and Tbilisi "to ensure the continuous operation of the only highway between the two states" is an example of "successful Russian-Georgian cooperation".

"On the Georgian side, the road infrastructure is being modernized, including the construction of a tunnel under the Jvari Pass, and on our side, there is an expansion of the Upper Larsi checkpoint. Actions on both sides of the border are coordinated in order not to reduce the capacity of this transport artery," said the deputy minister.

According to him, the issues of ensuring security in the South Caucasus remain the common focus between the countries.

"The common focus between the two countries is security issues in the South Caucasus, which are discussed in a multilateral format with the participation of Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, Russia and the United States, under the co-chairmanship of the European Union, the United Nations and the OSCE. It is taking place within the framework of the Geneva international negotiations on Transcaucasia," says the Russian diplomat.

Mikhail Galuzin also commented on how the recent protests could affect bilateral relations with Russia.

"Behind the March protests, we see the desire of the West, dissatisfied with the pragmatic course of the Georgian government, to undermine the situation in the republic, to convince its leadership to more actively support Ukraine, to cut ties with Russia," he said.

source: IPN