Georgian PM promises to help PACE in peaceful efforts in the region

Georgia is located in a complicated region, and it is very important to conduct a peaceful policy, Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili said during his speech at PACE, Georgian TV channels which held a live broadcast of the Prime Minister's speech at PACE reported on Tuesday.

"As a result of the pretensions of a greater country, we have already lost 20 percent of our territory ... and we all know the value of peace, as we are not going to rattle sabers and will solve problems via negotiations," he said.
Ivanishvili highlighted that immediately after his appointment to the position of Prime Minister, he introduced the position of the special personal representative for negotiations with Russia.

"We started peace negotiations and determined their scope - the beginning of trade relations and cultural cooperation," the Prime Minister said.
However, he noted that the start of direct negotiations does not mean that Georgia refuses the mediation of the West in negotiations with Russia.

"The Geneva format is the only mechanism providing for the discussion of political issues with Russian diplomats, and we are going to continue negotiations with the participation of our partners," he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that Georgia conducts a proper policy towards Russia and is waiting for a response. He recalled that Georgia has committed itself to keeping peace in the region and will act on this commitment.

According to Ivanishvili, the Georgian people long ago set joining NATO and the EU as goals, and this path will be continued by the new government of Georgia.
"This is not a decision of one political group, but of the whole population; therefore, we will move in this direction," he said.

Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia in Georgia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia late in August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has declared the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.


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