Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that Russia is ready to support “reconciliation” with Georgia and the Moscow-backed breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia, if all parties are interested.
Foreign Minister Lavrov told reporters at a press conference at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Russia was ready to cooperate in promoting “normalization of relations” and a “non-aggression pact” between Tbilisi and the two regions. Invasion of Georgia in 2008.
“They (Georgia’s government) have openly said that they want a historical reconciliation. How that happens is for the countries themselves, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, to decide. Yes, some contact is inevitable,” Lavrov said.
To this day, Georgia and most of the international community consider both regions to be under Russian military occupation. Nevertheless, the ruling Georgian Dream party has stepped up efforts in recent months to bring the country into line with Russia, enacting controversial “foreign agent” laws and similar laws in Russia. Anti-LGBT measures have been introduced to reflect this.
Kakha Karadze, a former professional footballer and current mayor of Georgian Dream’s Tbilisi, welcomed Lavrov’s comments as “positive”, but said Russia has “planned an action plan” to withdraw troops from both regions. He suggested that “practical measures” should be taken, including the formulation of a new law. .
“Reconciliation must happen, and it can only happen through peace, development and mutual forgiveness,” Mr. Karadze said.
In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reiterated that 20% of his country’s territory remains under “illegal occupation” but did not mention Russia. Instead, he expressed hope that the “broken bridge” between Tbilisi, Abkhazia and South Ossetia could be repaired and create a “happy, united and developed Georgia.”
In early September, Georgian Dream’s billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili said her party would “apologize” for the 2008 war with Russia if it secured a majority in October’s parliamentary elections, prompting opposition parties to invited criticism.
