Georgian PM: diplomatic relations with Russia impossible while so-called recognition of occupied territories continues

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said that diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation could not be restored as long as Russia’s so-called recognition of Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories remains an accomplished fact.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that Georgia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Russia for clear and understandable reasons linked to the recognition of the occupied regions.

“As long as the so-called recognition is an accomplished fact on the part of the Russian Federation, diplomatic relations, of course, cannot be restored”, he said.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that, following political changes, conditions for a peaceful settlement could emerge.

“Our goal with regard to the Russian Federation is the peaceful settlement of the conflict. This is our political statement, and we hope that, following political changes, all of this will become possible. The peaceful settlement of the conflict is, of course, one of our foreign policy priorities”, Kobakhidze concluded.