Statement by the Administration of the President of Georgia

1/25/2012

The Administration of the President of Georgia responded to yesterday’s statement by the President of Russia, related to restoring diplomatic relations with Georgia. Manana Manjgaladze introduced the position of the Administration of the President of Georgia regarding this issue to journalists and noted that it is unclear in the statement of Russia what Georgia means to them.

“It is unclear what Georgia is to them – a state within its internationally recognized borders, or a state without the territories occupied by them.

It has to be noted that diplomatic relations with Russia will only be restored when they close the illegally opened embassies in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali. Breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia is not obstinacy. This happened because Russia itself invaded the territory of Georgia and still occupies 20% of it – Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I would like to add that they have a problem not with specific persons, not Mikheil Saakashvili, but the population of Georgia as a whole. The 5 million citizens of Georgia and especially thousands of refugees, are in this condition because of Russia” – stated Manana Manjgaladze.