Putin meets Georgian opposition leader Burjanadze in Moscow

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has met in Moscow with Nino Burjanadze, a former speaker of the Georgian parliament and leader of the Democratic Movement - United Georgia opposition group.

The head of the Russian government said that Russia was ready for dialogue with political groups in Georgia.

"We are ready to develop relations with all political forces,” Putin said, Itar-Tass reported. “I strongly expect that by relying on those people who want to have normal relations with Russia, we will be able to restore the pre-crisis level of our relations and we will look to the future and their development."

Burjanadze expressed confidence that good relations between the two countries was in the interest of both peoples and states.

 Putin had previously met in Moscow with the leader of another Georgian opposition movement, For a Just Georgia, former prime minister Zurab Nogaideli.