Georgia to Welcome Visa Abolition With Russia – Special Envoy for Russia Ties

Georgia will welcome abolition of visas with Russia if respective steps are made, Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze said on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Despite all the issues between the countries, Georgia was prepared to continue the dialogue and take efforts for solving the problems stage-by-stage, Abashidze added.

"If Russia makes further steps regarding the issue, we will welcome them. But it is the prerogative of Russia," Abashidze said as cited by the Georgian Interpressnews agency.

Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he didn't exclude the possibility of bringing back visa-free regime with Georgia, adding that there were good reasons for such a scenario.

Russian citizens can travel to Georgia without obtaining a visa, but Georgians need a visa to visit Russia. During last year's news conference, Putin also stated that Moscow was prepared to abolish visa regime with Georgia.