TBILISI, April 17 (RIA Novosti) - Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Tuesday he was not against mending diplomatic relations with Russia that were severed several years ago.
“I am one of those supporting the improvement of these relations. It was my initiative to lift the visa regime with Russia so that more Russian tourists could visit Georgia,” Saakashvili said in an interview with Rustavi-2 television channel.
“I am also not against improving cultural relations, although some certain rules must be applied, and, moreover, I support trade relations and investments,” he added.
The Georgian president said, however, that in regard to the current situation with Russia “Georgia must be careful.”
Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia following the 2008 war over South Ossetia. Tensions, however, have started to thaw in recent months, with Russia recently lifting its import ban on Georgian wine.
