Georgian side calls on Russian FM for negotiations to ensure normal functioning of Georgian consulate

Head of section of Georgia's interests at the Swiss embassy in Russia Givi Shugarov proposed to conduct consultations between foreign ministries of both countries to ensure the proper functioning of interest sections in Moscow and Tbilisi.

On Friday, upon his own initiative, Shugarov met with the director of the 4th (Caucasian) department of CIS of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexei Pavlovsky, Georgian Foreign Ministry told Trend. The meeting took place in the presence of representatives of the Swiss embassy.

At the meeting, Shugarov proposed to conduct consultations between the foreign ministries of Georgia and the Russian Federation in the presence of the Swiss side to ensure the normal and unhindered operation of the section of Georgia's interests at the Swiss embassy in Moscow and section of Russia's interests at the Swiss embassy in Tbilisi.

Aug. 4, the electricity supply was turned off in the premises of section of Georgia's interests at the Swiss embassy in Russia because of debts on utility bills since 2008. Last Friday, the consular service section suspended the issuance of visas, and a statement was hung on the door that its activities were temporarily suspended "because of barriers created by the Russian side". Aug. 8, electricity supply was restored.

Russia and Georgia have no diplomatic relations. They were broke after the 2008 war and Moscow's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the same year. Formal relations between Russia and Georgia are carried out through the mediation of the Swiss diplomats.


/Trend/