Russian MFA: Georgia’s EU, NATO Aspirations Deter Normalization of Ties

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Georgia’s NATO and EU aspirations are among the issues, which deter “full-fledged normalization” of bilateral relations between Moscow and Tbilisi.

“Absence of diplomatic relations with Georgia, unwillingness of the authorities in Tbilisi to reject status of ‘occupied territories’ in reference to Sukhum and Tskhinval, as well as country’s continued course towards maximum integration to the EU and NATO will remain natural constraining factor to full-fledge normalization of Russian-Georgian relations,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its new annual report on foreign policy activities.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that it will continue pursuing policy of building “bilateral contacts in the areas where it does not contradict national interests of Russia, first and foremost, broadening of humanitarian and business contacts.”

The report notes lifting restrictions on import of Georgian products and participation of Georgian athletes in the Sochi Winter Olympics last year among the positive developments in the bilateral relations in 2014.
 
The Georgian Foreign Ministry said on June 9, that the report makes it clear that Georgia’s foreign policy course remains major irritant to Russia.

“Any state has a sovereign right to choose alliances and aspiration to become a member of the European and Euro-Atlantic organizations represents the choice of majority of the Georgian population and its political spectrum,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on June 9.

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