TBILISI, November 19 (Sputnik) — Georgia is ready to continue dialogue with Russia, the country's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated.
"We were able to start a direct dialogue with Russia and are ready to continue it. But the issue of territorial integrity is a matter of principle for us, we will not compromise, since we are talking about our territories," Garibashvili said in an statement, posted on his official Facebook page Tuesday, following his visit to Brussels.
Summing up the visit, Georgia's prime minister acknowledged the importance of continuing dialogue with Russia.
Garibashvili said that "in two years period Georgia managed to reduce tensions with Russia to a minimum."
Georgian Prime Minister also noted that there was progress in trade relations with Russia, despite the political relations between the two countries not progressing.
Relations between Russia and Georgia hit rock bottom following the 2008 military conflict in South Ossetia and Moscow's subsequent recognition of the two Georgian breakaway regions.
The new Georgian government formed in 2012 said better relations with Russia would be a key priority. However, the two countries have not resumed their diplomatic relations yet.
