Russian Foreign Ministry describes Georgia's decision to abolish visas for residents of Russian North Caucasian republics as propaganda

Russian Foreign Ministry describes Georgia's decision to abolish visas for residents of Russian North Caucasian republics as propaganda.

The unilateral decision of the Georgian authorities to introduce a visa-waiver regime for residents of the North Caucasian republics of Russia is another act of propaganda by Tbilisi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday, RIA Novosti reports. According to him, the Russian Foreign Ministry has not seen any formal decision, only news reports on this topic. "Within the framework of relations that are accepted among civilized partners, this is usually discussed on a reciprocal basis," the Minister noted.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Nino Kalandadze, announced on Monday that Georgia plans to abolish the visa regime for the residents of Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia - Alania, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygeya. According to the new regulations they will be able to stay 30 days in Georgia without a visa.

Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Now Russians need a visa to visit Georgia. The visas are issued in Moscow, at the Swiss embassy, which represents the interests of Georgia in Moscow.