2016-06-28
On June 27, 2016 the next meeting within the frames of Georgian-Russian informal dialogue was held in Prague.
In view of unlawful activities near the occupation line Special representative of the Prime Minister on the relations with Russian Federation Zurab Abashidze drew Russian counterparts' attention on the homicide of the Georgian citizen Giga Otkhozoria that occurred near the occupation line on May 19 in the village of Khurcha.
He noted that such a vicious crime shall not go unpunished and he emphasized the need of swift arrest of the criminal.
Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin shared the general position, however, he indicated that the crime was perpetrated by a specific so-called Abkhazian border guard and the Russian side is not associated with this fact.
Zurab Abashidze also elaborated on the gross human rights violations occurring in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.
In this context the particular importance of Geneva international negotiations - as the main platform of solving Russian-Georgian problems and discussing humanitarian issues - was outlined.
Following the Prague platform agenda, trade and economic as well as transportation and humanitarian issues were discussed during the meeting. Specific agreements have been achieved. Namely, the sides agreed on enlarging Georgian export to the Russian market as well as increase the shipping volumes.
The parties to the meeting indicated that the growth dynamics of trade turnover between the countries and influx of Russian tourists in Georgia is visible.
Zurab Abashidze emphasized that several months ago Georgian side has terminated the work on documents related to "The Guidelines on Custom Administration and Monitoring Mechanisms on Trade with Goods between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation" that was signed in 2011.
Humanitarian concerns, including those related to Georgian citizens serving their sentences in Russia under the charge of espionage. It was indicated that lately 6 Georgian citizens returned home. On June 28 one more citizen will be released and he will return to Georgia.
The exact date of the next meeting in Prague will become known later.