The special representative of the Prime Minister of Georgia for the settlement of relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin are to discuss issues of trade and economic relations, transport, as well as some humanitarian matters at a meeting on November 19th in Prague, Abashidze announced in an interview with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.
"We will continue to discuss these areas of cooperation," he said.
The Special Representative on the settlement of relations with Russia also said that Georgia is becoming an increasingly popular destination among Russian tourists. "This year the number of Russian tourists has significantly increased. The total number of tourists is about one million people. We have every opportunity of increasing this number," Abashidze said.
"Citizens of Russia don’t need visas to travel to Georgia. If earlier the period of stay was three months, so now they can stay in Georgia up to one year,’’ he said
At the same time, according to the politician, if the demand of Russian tourists for traveling to Georgia continues to increase, then the transport connection between the countries may be extended.
The Special Representative on the settlement of relations with Russia also said that Moscow and Tbilisi have managed to solve almost all the problems with the supply of Georgian products to Russia.
"It's mainly Georgia export agricultural products, wine, brandy and mineral waters" the politician recalled.
Abashidze also said that Russian investors could work with the Georgian party as a mediator, which could bring them to the EU market. "Last year we signed an association agreement with the EU, so our products supplied the European markets with a zero tariff. This possibly can be used by Russian companies. Other countries, in particular China, are interested in this field,’’ special envoy Garibashvili said.
With regard to the humanitarian sphere, he said that the Georgian party intends to discuss the issue of returning of Georgian citizens, who were sentenced on charges of espionage. "In principle, we would like to return them and close this topic. And I think it is possible to achieve progress," Zurab Abashidze concluded.
