Russia follows Georgian parliamentary elections with hope

Russia hopes and counts for changes which will happen after the elections in Georgia, as they might positively influence the normalization of relations between the two countries. It was stated by the speaker of the Council of Federation, Valentina Matvienko, at the meeting with journalists.

According to Matvienko, under adequate management Georgia is an adequate partner for settlement of disputes, building mutually beneficial relations without political exaggeration or “radical decisions.” “We look positively at the future of our relations,” she said.

At the same time, the speaker emphasized that Russia will respect the choice of the Georgian people.

Viktor Ozerov, the chairman of the Council of Federation Committee on Defense and Security, stated that whatever the results of the elections in Georgia will be, they will hardly change anything and influence positively Russian-Georgian relations. The senator thinks that normalization of relations with Russia requires from Georgia recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. “For Georgia this recognition means becoming a political corpse,” he believes.

At the same time he noted that the opposition’s victory in the elections will mean that the policy by President Saakashvili causes resistance not only by neighbors, but also by the population of the country. “That is why an alternative party wins the elections, which speaks about necessity of normalization of relations with Russia. The population of Georgia stands for changing of power in the state,” the Russian senator said.