"It depends on the Georgian side. We have not severed [relations], they were severed by Georgia. Now we hope that diplomatic ties will be restored at the initiative of Tbilisi under some circumstances," Karasin told reporters.
On February 7, Karasin held a meeting in Prague with Special Envoy of the Georgian Prime Minister for Relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze. According to the Russian Foreign ministry, the two sides discussed the outcomes of the process of normalizing relations between the two countries in 2016, which focuses on such areas as culture, transport and trade. Karasin also confirmed Moscow’s commitment to further simplify visa regime and did not rule its eventual cancellation, which also depended on Georgia’s “willingness to work responsibly in this area,” the ministry said.
In August 2008, Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia in response to Moscow's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However, the representatives of the new Georgian government that came to power after the election in October 2012, named normalization of relations with Russia one of the top foreign policy priorities. At the moment, the dialogue between Russia and Georgia is carried out within the framework of Geneva discussions and regular meetings between Karasin and Abashidze.
