After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) delineated their borders, turning administrative boundaries into national ones. By and large the process has run smoothly, but disputes between some members persisted, particularly between Russia and Georgia, which are locked in a simmering diplomatic feud.
"We have encountered certain difficulties at talks with Russia," Gela Bezhuashvili said at a press conference in the Georgian Foreign Ministry dedicated to results of 2006, adding the talks will continue throughout the coming 2007.
"Although we have agreed on some sections [of the border], a naval stretch [on the Black Sea] of the Russian-Georgian border remains the most problematic," the minister said.
Bezhuashvili said the talks started in 1994 and bilateral commissions have since agreed only on 36.4% or 325 kilometers out of total 894 kilometers of the Russian-Georgian state border.
Borders delimitation among the CIS members was last discussed at a summit of the post-Soviet organization in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, in late November.
Georgia is not the only country still in talks with Russia on borders delimitation.
Ukraine, where Western-leaning President Viktor Yushchenko seeks integration into Europe and its bodies, has long urged to finalize the borders with Russia. The two countries still have to demarcate the disputed border running through the Azov and Black Seas, and the Kerch Strait.
The Caspian Sea is a point of contention between Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, as well as Iran, which are trying to divide the sea's reserves.
Relations between Russia and Georgia have been tense in recent years over the status of Russian-leaning breakaway republics in Georgia and Tbilisi's drive to join NATO, as well as the brief arrest of four Russian officers in Tbilisi in September on spying charges.
Russia subsequently suspended all transportation and mail links with the South Caucasus country, expelled hundreds of Georgian nationals living in Russia illegally and closed several Moscow casinos and restaurants allegedly owned by the Georgian mafia.
